Wesleyan students are an accomplished group, so it should come as no surprise that Wesleyan has so many famous and notable alumni. From filmmakers to writers to scientists and sports coaches, Wesleyan alums have made their mark on the world.
Wesleyan alumni, for instance, are all over the entertainment fields. Michael Bay ’86 has produced some of the biggest blockbuster films, like “Armageddon” and “Pearl Harbor.”
On the other end of the spectrum, Stephen Trask ’89 composed the music for the independent cult favorites “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” and “Camp.” In addition, Christopher Wink ’83 created the Blue Man Group. Joss Whedon ’87 created “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and was the screenwriter for “Toy Story.” “The West Wing” actor Bradley Whitford ’81 is a graduate, as is “Presidio Med” actor Dana Delany ’78.
Film professor Jacob Bricca says there’s good reason why so many Wesleyan alumni make it in film.
“I think Wesleyan prepares its students for film careers through teaching two basic things: critical thinking skills and writing skills,” he said. “These skills are invaluable in filmmaking, and they’re strongly emphasized in the Film Studies major.”
Folk singer Dar Williams graduated in 1989. Her early song, “Terrarium,” presumably about Wesleyan, called it an “earthy college paradise.”
At The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Jim Margolis ’93 is a field producer. Like many alumi, he credits the school for helping him succeed.
“There is no question that the classes I took at Wesleyan have had a direct effect on my career path and earning power,” he said.
Many Wesleyan graduates have also found their way into journalism. Such a large number work in Public Radio that one television producer termed it the “Wesleyan mafia”). The president of WNYC, the public radio station in New York City, is a graduate, as are a number of the producers there.
At ABC News, correspondent Bill Blakemore ’65 and Jerusalem Bureau Chief John Yang ’80 are both graduates.
In print, graduates write for The New York Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer among others. “The Perfect Storm” author Sebastian Junger ’84 is also a grad.
Other notable writers include Robert Ludlum ’51, author of “The Bourne Identity,” and children’s book writer Daniel Handler ’92, better known by his alias, Lemony Snicket. Sara Shandler became a bestselling author while still attending Wesleyan. She graduated in 2002.
For those whom a look at the Fiske Guide to Colleges helped the college decision, Ted Fiske ’59 is also an alumnus.
While many Wesleyan graduates congregate in the arts and humanities, Dr. Jay Levy ’60 has made his mark on AIDS research. And, in business, Herb Kelleher ’53 founded Southwest Airlines.
Wesleyan also produced the Super Bowl-winning coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick ’75. He told The New York Times that his Wesleyan education is an asset when he devises plays, decides who to hire, and deals with the NFL salary cap.
This is, of course, only a small sampling of the numerous successful and interesting Wesleyan alumni. Perhaps the Class of 2008 will make their mark in the coming years.
Margolis offered words of wisdom to incoming freshmen.
“Not a day goes by when I don’t wonder where I would be today if I’d only listened to my academic advisor and took that Javanese Gamelan class,” he said. “If I’d only made better choices at Wesleyan, a career in shadow puppet theater might be more than just a dream for me.”
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