When you think of the University of Vermont (UVM), your brain probably goes straight to a few specific things: freezing winter walks across the Green, Ben & Jerry’s, and maybe that specific brand of "Vermont chill" that seems to permeate everything in Burlington. But honestly, the roster of people who have actually walked those halls—and survived the wind chill coming off Lake Champlain—is surprisingly heavy-hitting.
Most people know about the Phish guys or maybe John Dewey if they’ve ever taken a philosophy 101 class. But did you know a UVM alum basically co-founded the New York Times? Or that the person who helped give women the right to vote in the U.S. (in a roundabout way) through their role as a First Lady had a UVM degree?
It’s a weirdly diverse list. You’ve got Nobel Prize winners, tech CEOs who run companies worth billions, and more Olympians than some small countries.
The Heavy Hitters in Politics and History
Let's start with the big names because, truthfully, UVM’s impact on American government is deeper than you’d expect for a school in a state with only one area code.
William A. Wheeler (Class of 1842) is arguably one of the most forgotten but important figures. He was the 19th Vice President of the United States. He wasn't just some figurehead; he was known for being so honest that even his political enemies liked him. Then there is Grace Coolidge, who graduated in 1902. As First Lady (wife of Calvin Coolidge), she was a total trailblazer. She was the first First Lady to earn a four-year undergraduate degree, and she used her platform to advocate for the hearing-impaired.
Then you have the modern power players. Madeleine Kunin didn't just break the glass ceiling in Vermont as the first female governor; she was also the first Jewish woman to lead a U.S. state. She later served as the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland. Fast forward to today, and you’ll see Phil Scott (Class of 1980), the current Governor of Vermont, who still frequently references his time on campus.
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And let's not overlook Henry Jarvis Raymond. He graduated in 1840. He didn't just "do" journalism; he literally co-founded The New York Times. If you’ve ever read a "Gray Lady" headline, you’re looking at the legacy of a Catamount.
Thinkers, Philosophers, and the People Who Change How We Think
You can't talk about University of Vermont notable alumni without mentioning John Dewey.
Basically, if you went to a school that didn't just force you to memorize dates but actually asked you to do things, you can thank Dewey. He graduated in 1879 and went on to become the father of progressive education. He believed that schools should be about social reform and hands-on learning. That vibe still lives on in Burlington today.
In the realm of global peace, Jody Williams (Class of 1972) stands out. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for her work in banning landmines. It’s a pretty staggering achievement. She proved that a kid from a small Vermont school could literally change international law and save thousands of lives.
The Business Moguls and Tech Giants
It’s not all philosophy and politics. UVM produces some serious "disruptors," to use the annoying modern term.
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Brian Halligan (Class of 1990) is a name you’ll know if you work in marketing. He co-founded HubSpot. He basically invented the concept of "inbound marketing," changing how businesses talk to people online.
Then there’s Diane Greene. She’s a legend in Silicon Valley. She co-founded VMware, which is basically the foundation of modern cloud computing. She later became the CEO of Google Cloud. She graduated from UVM in 1976 with a degree in mechanical engineering, proving that the engineering program there is no joke.
Entertainment: Music, Movies, and the Phish Phenomenon
Okay, let’s address the tie-dyed elephant in the room. Phish.
While only Jon Fishman (the drummer) stayed to graduate, the band famously formed at UVM in 1983. Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell were there too before moving on. The school is practically a pilgrimage site for fans. But they aren't the only ones.
- Mark Boone Junior: You know him from Sons of Anarchy or Batman Begins. He’s that guy you recognize in everything.
- Ben Affleck: Yeah, that Ben Affleck. He actually attended UVM for a bit before transferring to Occidental. He reportedly studied Spanish, but apparently, the Vermont winters were a bit much for him.
- Dierks Bentley: The country star spent a year at UVM before heading to Vanderbilt.
It’s a funny mix. You have Pulitzer Prize-winning authors like Annie Proulx (who wrote The Shipping News and Brokeback Mountain) alongside Emmy winners and Grammy-winning producers like Brian Camelio, the guy who basically pioneered crowdfunding for artists.
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The "Ski UVM" Legacy: Athletes and Olympians
If you’ve ever been to Burlington, you know the mountains are the main character. UVM has one of the most dominant skiing and snowboarding programs in the world.
Barbara Ann Cochran brought home Olympic Gold in 1972. The "Skiing Cochrans" are basically Vermont royalty. More recently, you’ve got Lowell Bailey, a four-time Olympian and World Champion in the biathlon.
And it's not just skiing. John LeClair is a massive name in hockey—a Stanley Cup winner and a five-time NHL All-Star. Martin St. Louis, another NHL legend and Hall of Famer, also wore the green and gold.
Why This Matters for You
When you look at the University of Vermont notable alumni, you see a pattern. It’s a school that tends to attract people who are a little bit independent, maybe a little bit rugged, and definitely okay with doing things their own way.
If you’re a prospective student or a curious alum, the takeaway is pretty clear: UVM isn’t just a "public ivy" for the sake of the title. It’s a place where you can study anything from mechanical engineering to philosophy and actually end up running a global tech firm or winning a Nobel Prize.
Actionable Next Steps for Curious Minds
If you want to dig deeper into the legacy of these graduates, here is what you should do next:
- Visit the Fleming Museum of Art: Many notable alumni have contributed to or are featured in the archives here on campus. It’s a great way to see the tangible history of the school.
- Check out the UVM Foundation’s "Outstanding Alumni" database: They keep a living record of people doing cool stuff in real-time, from Forbes 30 Under 30 winners like Christopher Petrillo to local leaders.
- Read "Real Democracy" by Frank Bryan: If you want to understand the political culture that shaped many of these leaders, this book by a long-time UVM professor and alum is the "bible" of Vermont town-meeting-style politics.
- Support local: Many UVM business alums stay in the Burlington area. From small startups to major firms, the "Catamount network" is surprisingly tight-knit. Reach out on LinkedIn; you’d be surprised how often a UVM grad will answer a fellow Catamount.