The University of New Orleans (UNO) has a rich history of producing talented and accomplished individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. From arts and entertainment to business and politics, UNO alumni have left their mark on the world. Here are 10 notable University of New Orleans alumni who have achieved great success and recognition:
1. Ellis Marsalis Jr. - Jazz Musician and Educator
Ellis Marsalis Jr. is a renowned jazz musician and educator who graduated from UNO in 1955. He is best known for his work as a pianist and composer, and has released several albums throughout his career. Marsalis has also taught at various institutions, including UNO, and has been recognized for his contributions to jazz education.
Early Life and Career
Born in 1934, Marsalis grew up in a musical family and began playing piano at a young age. He attended UNO, where he studied music and graduated with a degree in music education.
Achievements and Legacy
Marsalis has released several albums, including "A New Orleans Christmas" and "Whistle Stop". He has also taught at various institutions, including UNO, and has been recognized for his contributions to jazz education.
2. Louis Prima - Musician and Actor
Louis Prima was a musician and actor who attended UNO in the 1930s. He is best known for his work as a trumpeter and singer, and has released several albums throughout his career. Prima has also appeared in numerous films and television shows, including "The Jungle Book" and "The Ed Sullivan Show".
Early Life and Career
Born in 1910, Prima grew up in a musical family and began playing trumpet at a young age. He attended UNO, where he studied music and began performing with local bands.
Achievements and Legacy
Prima has released several albums, including "Buona Sera" and "Jump, Jive, and Wail". He has also appeared in numerous films and television shows, and has been recognized for his contributions to jazz and entertainment.
3. Harry Connick Jr. - Musician and Actor
Harry Connick Jr. is a musician and actor who attended UNO in the 1980s. He is best known for his work as a pianist and singer, and has released several albums throughout his career. Connick has also appeared in numerous films and television shows, including "Independence Day" and "Will & Grace".
Early Life and Career
Born in 1967, Connick grew up in a musical family and began playing piano at a young age. He attended UNO, where he studied music and began performing with local bands.
Achievements and Legacy
Connick has released several albums, including "When My Heart Finds Christmas" and "Star Turtle". He has also appeared in numerous films and television shows, and has been recognized for his contributions to jazz and entertainment.
4. Randy Newman - Musician and Composer
Randy Newman is a musician and composer who attended UNO in the 1960s. He is best known for his work as a singer-songwriter and composer, and has released several albums throughout his career. Newman has also composed music for numerous films, including "Toy Story" and "Monsters, Inc.".
Early Life and Career
Born in 1943, Newman grew up in a musical family and began playing piano at a young age. He attended UNO, where he studied music and began performing with local bands.
Achievements and Legacy
Newman has released several albums, including "Sail Away" and "Good Old Boys". He has also composed music for numerous films, and has been recognized for his contributions to music and film.
5. Armand St. Martin - Businessman and Entrepreneur
Armand St. Martin is a businessman and entrepreneur who graduated from UNO in 1980. He is best known for his work as the founder and CEO of several successful companies, including St. Martin's Management and the St. Martin's Hotel.
Early Life and Career
Born in 1957, St. Martin grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and began working in business at a young age. He attended UNO, where he studied business and began developing his entrepreneurial skills.
Achievements and Legacy
St. Martin has founded and led several successful companies, including St. Martin's Management and the St. Martin's Hotel. He has also been recognized for his contributions to business and entrepreneurship in New Orleans.
6. Walter Isaacson - Author and Journalist
Walter Isaacson is an author and journalist who graduated from UNO in 1974. He is best known for his work as a biographer and journalist, and has written several bestselling books, including "Steve Jobs" and "Einstein: His Life and Universe".
Early Life and Career
Born in 1952, Isaacson grew up in a family of journalists and began writing at a young age. He attended UNO, where he studied journalism and began developing his writing skills.
Achievements and Legacy
Isaacson has written several bestselling books, including "Steve Jobs" and "Einstein: His Life and Universe". He has also been recognized for his contributions to journalism and biography.
7. Lawrence N. Powell - Historian and Author
Lawrence N. Powell is a historian and author who graduated from UNO in 1966. He is best known for his work as a historian of the American South, and has written several books on the subject, including "The Accidental City: Improvising New Orleans" and "Troubled Memory: Anne Levy, the Holocaust, and David Duke's Louisiana".
Early Life and Career
Born in 1942, Powell grew up in a family of historians and began studying history at a young age. He attended UNO, where he studied history and began developing his research skills.
Achievements and Legacy
Powell has written several books on the history of the American South, including "The Accidental City: Improvising New Orleans" and "Troubled Memory: Anne Levy, the Holocaust, and David Duke's Louisiana". He has also been recognized for his contributions to historical scholarship.
8. James Carville - Politician and Consultant
James Carville is a politician and consultant who graduated from UNO in 1973. He is best known for his work as a campaign strategist and consultant, and has worked on several high-profile campaigns, including Bill Clinton's presidential campaign.
Early Life and Career
Born in 1944, Carville grew up in a family of politicians and began working in politics at a young age. He attended UNO, where he studied political science and began developing his campaign skills.
Achievements and Legacy
Carville has worked on several high-profile campaigns, including Bill Clinton's presidential campaign. He has also been recognized for his contributions to politics and campaign strategy.
9. Anita Roddick - Businesswoman and Activist
Anita Roddick was a businesswoman and activist who graduated from UNO in 1970. She is best known for her work as the founder of The Body Shop, a cosmetics company that emphasizes social and environmental responsibility.
Early Life and Career
Born in 1942, Roddick grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and began working in business at a young age. She attended UNO, where she studied business and began developing her entrepreneurial skills.
Achievements and Legacy
Roddick founded The Body Shop in 1970 and built it into a successful international company. She has also been recognized for her contributions to social and environmental responsibility in business.
10. Mitch Landrieu - Politician
Mitch Landrieu is a politician who graduated from UNO in 1978. He is best known for his work as the Mayor of New Orleans from 2010 to 2018, and has been recognized for his efforts to rebuild and revitalize the city after Hurricane Katrina.
Early Life and Career
Born in 1960, Landrieu grew up in a family of politicians and began working in politics at a young age. He attended UNO, where he studied political science and began developing his campaign skills.
Achievements and Legacy
Landrieu served as the Mayor of New Orleans from 2010 to 2018 and has been recognized for his efforts to rebuild and revitalize the city after Hurricane Katrina. He has also been recognized for his contributions to politics and public service.
Gallery of University of New Orleans Alumni
What are the most notable achievements of University of New Orleans alumni?
+University of New Orleans alumni have achieved great success in various fields, including music, business, politics, and more. Some notable achievements include Ellis Marsalis Jr.'s contributions to jazz education, Harry Connick Jr.'s Grammy-winning music career, and Mitch Landrieu's efforts to rebuild and revitalize New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
What are some of the most successful companies founded by University of New Orleans alumni?
+University of New Orleans alumni have founded several successful companies, including The Body Shop, which was founded by Anita Roddick in 1970. Other notable companies include St. Martin's Management and the St. Martin's Hotel, which were founded by Armand St. Martin.
What are some of the most notable books written by University of New Orleans alumni?
+University of New Orleans alumni have written several notable books, including Walter Isaacson's biographies of Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein, and Lawrence N. Powell's histories of the American South.
We hope this article has provided you with a glimpse into the achievements and contributions of University of New Orleans alumni. From music and business to politics and literature, UNO graduates have made a lasting impact on the world.