Outstanding Alumni

The College's alumni, spanning over 250 years, have left an indelible mark on American society. Among them are a host of trailblazers, including visionary architects, accomplished attorneys and celebrated writers. Let's take a glimpse at some of the distinguished members of this esteemed alumni community.

Notable Alumni

Robert Mills (1781–1855) 

Mills studied at the College in the late 18th century. He is considered by many to be the first American-born architect. Mills designed the Washington Monument as well as the Department of Treasury building and the U.S. Patent Office building. 

John Charles Fremont (1813–1890), Class of 1836 

Known as the Great Pathfinder, Fremont explored the West in the 1830s and 1840s. In 1856, Fremont, an outspoken opponent of slavery, was the first Republican nominee for president. During the Civil War, he served as a major general for the Union and, in 1861, issued a proclamation (overturned by President Lincoln) freeing slaves. He later served as governor of Arizona. 

Ludwig Lewisohn (1882–1955), Class of 1901 

Lewisohn was a novelist, a translator and a distinguished literary and drama critic. He was also one of the founding professors of Brandeis University. 

Herbert Ravenel Sass (1884–1958), Class of 1905 

A versatile and prolific writer, Sass was a significant figure in the Charleston Literary Renaissance (1920–1933). He wrote several novels, including War and Drums, Emperor Brims and Hear Me, My Chiefs! 

Burnet R. Maybank (1899–1954), Class of 1919 

Maybank served as mayor of Charleston, became governor of the state and served in the national legislature during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Maybank chaired the Senate Finance Committee and played a key role in the development of the New Deal. Maybank Hall, one of the main academic buildings on campus, bears his name. 

Frank Blair (1916–1995), Class of 1934 

Blair was an early cast member of NBC’s The Today Show, serving as a newsman and anchor from 1953 to 1974. 

George Rogers (1922–1997), Class of 1943 

An award-winning writer, Rogers is considered one of the preeminent historians of South Carolina. 

James Edwards (1927-2014), Class of 1950 

Edwards served as governor of South Carolina. He became the secretary of energy under President Reagan and was president of the Medical University of South Carolina from 1983 to 1999. 

Arthur Ravenel, Class of 1950 

Ravenel has been an exceptional public servant. He was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1953 to 1958, a South Carolina senator from 1980 to 1986 and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986. In 1996, he returned to the South Carolina Senate, serving until 2005. In 2006, at the age of 79, he was elected to the Charleston School Board. The bridge connecting Charleston to Mt. Pleasant bears his name. 

Glenn McConnell, Class of 1969 

McConnell was an influential force in South Carolina politics for more than three decades. Elected to public office in 1981, he became the president pro tempore of the South Carolina Senate in 2001 (the first Republican since Reconstruction to hold that leadership role) and later served as South Carolina's lieutenant governor (2012-2014), before assuming the presidency at the College of Charleston in July 2014. 

Eddie Ganaway (1944-2013), Class of 1971 

Ganaway was the first African American student to graduate from the College of Charleston. Additionally, in December 2007, he was presented a Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Dr. Ted Stern, president of the College of Charleston during Ganaway's undergraduate years. 

Arlinda Locklear, Class of 1973 

Locklear is a nationally recognized legal expert on tribal land claims and treaty rights issues. She is the first Native American woman to appear before the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Padgett Powell, Class of 1974 

Powell is an award-winning writer and novelist. He has published four novels, including Edisto and Mrs. Hollingsworth’s Men. 

Anthony Johnson, Class of 1998 

Johnson is a professional basketball player who has played in the NBA for more than a decade. 

Matt Czuchry, Class of 1999

Czuchry is an actor on popular television shows like Gilmore Girls, The Good Wife and The Resident.

Cary Ann Hearst, class of 2001 

Hearst contributes vocals, guitar, drums and keyboard to her and her husband's band Shovels & Rope. Her song "Hell's Bells" was featured on HBO's True Blood.