Honestly, whenever people talk about the State University of New York at Old Westbury, they usually focus on its radical roots or that massive, sprawling 600-acre campus. But the real story is in the people who walked those halls. We are talking about a school that was literally built on the idea of social justice and "big thinking," and when you look at the SUNY Old Westbury notable alumni list, it kinda shows.
It isn't just a list of names. It’s a weird, brilliant mix of Hollywood stars, civil rights icons, and corporate heavyweights.
🔗 Read more: Images of Shirley MacLaine: Why They Still Captivate Us 70 Years Later
Some of these people are household names you’ve seen on screen for decades. Others are the quiet power players who changed how Harlem looks or how your favorite soup is marketed. Let’s get into who actually graduated from here and why their time on Long Island actually mattered.
The Hollywood Connection: From the Bronx to Old Westbury
You can't talk about famous graduates without mentioning Rosie Perez. Most people know her as the powerhouse from Do the Right Thing or the voice you can recognize from a mile away. But before she was an Oscar-nominated actress and a legendary choreographer, she was a student at Old Westbury in the 80s.
She’s often talked about how the school gave her a space to find her voice. It’s funny because you don’t always think of a SUNY school as a breeding ground for Hollywood royalty, but Perez proved that wrong. She eventually moved into activism too, which fits the school’s "social justice" vibe perfectly.
Then there’s Andrea Navedo.
If you’ve watched Jane the Virgin, you know her as Xiomara Villanueva.
She’s a '98 grad.
Navedo was a theater major back when the school still had a formal theater program—something she’s actually expressed a bit of sadness about being gone now. She recently wrote a book called Our Otherness is Our Strength, and she credits a lot of her foundation to the teachers at Old Westbury who took a chance on a kid from the Bronx who didn't have the "perfect" grades.
🔗 Read more: Steve Carell Height: Why Most People Get It Wrong
And don't forget John McTiernan.
Yeah, the guy who directed Die Hard and Predator.
Think about that for a second. One of the architects of the modern action movie sat in the same classrooms as future social workers and teachers on Long Island. It’s that kind of range that makes this school’s history so interesting.
The Power Players: Civil Rights and Corporate Boardrooms
The late Calvin O. Butts III is arguably the most influential person to ever come out of the college. He wasn't just an alumnus; he later became the president of the university, serving for two decades.
But before all that, he was a BA student in 1972.
He was the heart of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. He spent his life fighting for economic justice. When you look at the "Old Westbury way," Dr. Butts basically lived it. He bridged the gap between the school's activist history and its modern growth.
Changing the Business Game
Switching gears to the corporate world, you’ve got Denise Morrison.
She was the CEO of Campbell Soup Company from 2011 to 2018.
That is a massive deal.
In a world where female CEOs are still underrepresented, Morrison was a pioneer. She’s a great example of how a liberal arts education at a place like Old Westbury doesn't just lead to "social work"—it leads to the very top of the Fortune 500.
💡 You might also like: William Basil Van Winkle: The True Story You Didn't Know
The Quiet Achievers: Music, Sports, and Law
It isn't all just movie stars and CEOs. The SUNY Old Westbury notable alumni list includes some niche legends too.
- Craig S. Harris: An avant-garde jazz trombonist who has played with the best of them.
- Lester Prosper: A professional basketball player who has made a huge name for himself internationally.
- David Liederman: You might know his name because of "David's Cookies." He’s a chef and a businessman who turned a cookie craving into a brand.
- Michael Blake: A 2003 grad who went on to serve in the New York State Assembly.
There is also a surprisingly deep bench of athletes, especially in baseball. Since 2003, a bunch of Panthers have been drafted or signed professionally, like Abel Guerrero (Cleveland Indians) and Robert Whitenack (Chicago Cubs). They might not be hitting 500 home runs in the majors yet, but the pipeline from Old Westbury to the pros is very real.
Why Does This Matter?
You might be wondering why a school with under 5,000 students has such a diverse alumni base. Honestly, it’s because Old Westbury was never meant to be a "traditional" college. It started as an experimental school. It attracted people who didn't necessarily fit the mold of a standard Ivy League or big state school student.
The school has a history of taking "non-traditional" students—people coming back to school later in life, or those from underserved communities—and giving them a platform. That's why you see so many activists and creators in the mix.
What You Can Take Away From This
If you're a student there now or thinking about going, there’s a clear pattern here. Success at Old Westbury isn't about following a rigid path.
- Use the diversity to your advantage. The alumni who made it big—like Rosie Perez or Andrea Navedo—often talk about how the diverse perspectives on campus shaped them. Don't just hang out with people in your major.
- Lean into the social justice mission. Whether you're in business or the arts, that "community-first" mindset is what makes an Old Westbury degree stand out in a resume pile.
- Network with the "Alumni in 5." The school actually runs a series where they profile successful grads. It’s a goldmine for finding mentors who actually want to help.
The reality is that SUNY Old Westbury produces people who aren't afraid to be "the first" or "the only" in the room. Whether it's a female CEO or a first-generation college student becoming a law professor, the legacy here is about breaking barriers.
Next Steps for You:
If you're looking to connect with this network, start by checking out the official Office of Alumni Affairs. They host regular events that aren't just boring mixers—they’re actual opportunities to meet people like Michael Blake or local business leaders who started exactly where you are sitting. Also, take a look at the "Alumni in 5" profiles on the college website to see the most recent success stories from the classes of 2023 and 2024.