7 Notable alumni of Penza State University
Updated: June 01, 2026 EliteDegrees
Penza State University is ranked #3,669 in the world and #74 in Russia by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 7 notable alumni from Penza State University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Penza State University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Viktor Patsayev
1933-1971 (aged 38)
astronaut
engineer
Viktor Ivanovich Patsayev was a Soviet cosmonaut who flew on the Soyuz 11 mission and was part of the third space crew to die during a space flight. On board the space station Salyut 1 he operated the Orion 1 Space Observatory (see Orion 1 and Orion 2 Space Observatories); he became the first man to operate a telescope outside...
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2. Vyacheslav Gladkov
1969-. (aged 57)
politician
Vyacheslav Vladimirovich Gladkov is a Russian politician serving as the governor of Belgorod Oblast since 27 September 2021. He served as the acting governor from 18 November 2020 before his election. He is a member of the ruling United Russia party.
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3. Aleksandr Samokutyayev
1970-. (aged 56)
aircraft pilot
astronaut
politician
Aleksandr Mikhailovich Samokutyaev is a Russian politician and former cosmonaut. Samokutyaev served as a Flight Engineer for the International Space Station (ISS) long duration Expedition 27/28 missions. He also served as the Soyuz TMA-21 commander. He most recently served on the Soyuz TMA-14M Expedition 41/42 crew aboard the ISS. He was hired as a cosmonaut in the summer of 2003.
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4. Vladimir Grachev
1942-. (aged 84)
ecologist
metallurgist
politician
Vladimir Aleksandrovich Grachev is a Russian scientist, politician, and ecologist. He has a doctorate in engineering, and is a professor and corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Grachev served as a member of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, the 3rd State Duma, and the 4th State Duma. Since 2008, he has served as the advisor to the...
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5. Vladimir Edalov
1954-2024 (aged 70)
statesperson
politician
Vladimir Fedorovich Yedalov was a Russian politician, representative of the executive body of state power of the Penza Region in Federation Council of the RF Federal Assembly (2013–2015), member of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation, Legal and Judicial Issues, Development of Civil Society.
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6. Vasily Bochkaryov
1949-2016 (aged 67)
statesperson
politician
Vasily Kuzmich Bochkaryov was a Russian politician. He served as Head of Zheleznodorozhny District of Penza from 1987 to 1998, and was elected Head of the Administration of Penza Oblast in April 1998. He became Governor of Penza Oblast in June 1998, and since then has been re-elected two times – in 2002 and 2005. He won his 2002 election...
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7. Oleg Melnichenko
1973-. (aged 53)
statesperson
politician
Oleg Vladimirovich Melnichenko is a Russian statesman and a politician. Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Self-Government and Northern Affairs. Member of the Presidium of the General Council of the United Russia Party. Chairman of the All-Russian public organization "All-Russian Council of Local Self-Government".
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