Centre College, since its founding in 1819, has sought to cultivate among its students intelligence, leadership, and creativity, along with conscience, integrity, and sense of service to society. Following is a sampling of Centre alumni who have exemplified those characteristics.
Joshua Fry Bell, class of 1828
First Centre alumnus to serve in Congress. At last count, 43 Centre alumni had been elected to the House and 13 to the Senate. Centre also can account for two vice presidents and 12 governors.
John Cabell Breckinridge, class of 1838
Vice president of the United States under Buchanan (1856-60), candidate for President in 1860.
John Marshall Harlan, class of 1850
Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court for 34 years (1877-1911). He cast the dissenting vote in Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896; the text of his dissent became the basis for Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, opening the door for the Civil Rights movement.
Adlai Stevenson, class of 1860
Vice president of the United States under Cleveland (1893-97), also served in Congress.
Gus Crain, class of 1904
Journalist who founded Advertising Age magazine in 1930 shortly after the stock market crash.
Frederick M. Vinson, class of 1909
Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1946-53). Also held several cabinet-level positions under President Harry Truman. (Truman also wanted him to run against Eisenhower in the presidential election, but Vinson declined).
Mary Ashby Cheek, class of 1909 (graduated at Caldwell Institute, a woman's college that merged with Centre)
President of Rockford (Ill.) College; dean of Mt. Holyoke.
T. Hunton Rogers, class of 1914
Developed octane rating system for fuel.
Alfred Nugent "Bo" McMillin, class of 1922
Scored winning touchdown in Centre's historic 1921 upset victory over Harvard University. Later served as head coach at Indiana University, then the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles.
John Sherman Cooper, class of 1922
United States Senator from Kentucky for 16 years, first U.S. ambassador appointed to East Germany.
Leslie Combs, class of 1925
A crucial figure in thoroughbred horse racing. Popularized the idea of syndicating race horses, which attracted big money to the sport.
Nelson Allan, class of 1927
Invented polyethylene bag-making machine.
Jack Tarkington Cassady, class of 1932
Originated the chemical formula for Malathion, which became heavily used for controlling mosquitoes.
James H. Evans, class of 1943
Chief executive officer, Union Pacific Corporation (now retired).
Pierce Lively, class of 1943
Federal judge for 25 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit (now retired)
Cawood Ledford, class of 1949
"Voice of the Kentucky Wildcats" for 30 years.
Homer Rice, class of 1951
Athletic director (retired) and executive assistant to the president at Georgia Tech.
Isaac Tigrett, class of 1970
Founder of the Hard Rock Cafe and the House of Blues.
Raymond Burse, class of 1973
Rhodes Scholar who, while he was studying at Oxford, became the first African-American to compete in an Oxford vs. Cambridge rugby match. Now an attorney in the United States; senior counsel for commercial law with General Electric.
Stephen Rolfe Powell, class of 1974
Internationally acclaimed glass blower.
Mary Hall Surface, class of 1980
Playwright and producer, whose original works include Most Valuable Player, an acclaimed drama about Jackie Robinson.
