Graduation season in Boulder is more than just tassels and diplomas—it’s a celebration of the incredible legacy CU Boulder students carry with them into the world. From the shadow of the Flatirons to the heights of global impact, the University of Colorado Boulder has nurtured some of the most creative, brilliant, and influential minds of our time.

To mark this year’s commencement, we’ve pulled together a list of the 10 most famous CU Boulder alumni—individuals who prove that being a Buff means being bold.

1. Trey Parker

Before South Park was a global phenomenon, Trey Parker was a CU Boulder film student creating short animations that pushed boundaries. His student film The Spirit of Christmas became the seed that launched the Emmy-winning show and a new wave of satire in American media.

2. Matt Stone

The other half of the South Park duo, Matt Stone studied math and film at CU Boulder. Together with Parker, he’s won multiple Emmys, a Peabody Award, and even a Tony Award for The Book of Mormon. Their shared roots at CU are now legendary.

3. Scott Carpenter

One of NASA’s original Mercury Seven astronauts, Carpenter orbited Earth in 1962 aboard Aurora 7. A Boulder native and CU Boulder engineering graduate, his legacy lives on through both scientific achievement and local pride.

4. Eric Allin Cornell

In 2001, CU Boulder physics professor and alum Eric Cornell won the Nobel Prize in Physics for producing a new state of matter—Bose-Einstein condensate. His groundbreaking work was done in collaboration with CU and NIST right on campus.

5. Chauncey Billups

Known as “Mr. Big Shot” during his NBA career, Billups was a CU basketball star before becoming a five-time NBA All-Star and current coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. He’s considered one of the greatest players to ever wear a Buffs jersey.

6. Glenn Miller

Though he didn’t graduate, Glenn Miller spent time at CU Boulder before becoming one of the most famous big band leaders in history. Hits like “In the Mood” and “Moonlight Serenade” made him a swing-era icon with roots in the Rockies.

7. Molly Bloom

An Olympic-level skier turned entrepreneur, Bloom studied political science at CU Boulder before gaining fame as the real-life subject of Molly’s Game, the book and film chronicling her high-stakes underground poker empire.

8. Chris Fowler

A CU journalism graduate, Fowler has become one of the most trusted voices in sports broadcasting. From hosting College GameDay to calling the biggest college football games in the country, Fowler proudly reps CU wherever he goes.

9. Kalpana Chawla

Chawla, an aerospace engineer and CU Boulder graduate, became the first Indian-born woman in space. She tragically lost her life aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003, but her legacy inspires women in STEM around the world.

10. Kate Fagan

A former CU basketball star and ESPN personality, Fagan is now an acclaimed sports journalist and author. Her memoir and reporting have brought new dimensions to sports media and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Closing Thoughts

These alumni didn’t just walk across Folsom Field in a cap and gown—they walked into history. From animated comedy and Nobel Prizes to outer space and sports legends, CU Boulder continues to shape the world through its graduates. As the next class of Buffs prepares to toss their caps, they do so knowing they’re part of something truly extraordinary.

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