12 Notable alumni of Valdosta State University
Updated: June 15, 2026 EliteDegrees
Valdosta State University is ranked #2,181 in the world and #557 in United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 12 notable alumni from Valdosta 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 Valdosta State University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Lawrence Virgil
1991-. (aged 35)
American football player
Lawrence Virgil is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Valdosta State Blazers. Virgil’s NFL career ended due to the tearing of his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his left knee.
+ show more
2. Elsie Quarterman
1910-2014 (aged 104)
plant ecologist
university teacher
botanical collector
botanist
ecologist
Elsie Quarterman was a prominent plant ecologist. She was a professor emerita at Vanderbilt University.
3. Richard Woods
politician
Richard Woods is an American politician and educator who is currently the Georgia Superintendent of Schools, a position he was elected to in 2014. He was reelected to his position in 2018, defeating his Democratic opponent Otha Thornton with slightly over 53% of the vote.
+ show more
4. Travis Cummings
1972-. (aged 54)
politician
W. Travis Cummings is a former Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, who represented the 18th District, which includes most of northern Clay County, from 2012 to 2020.
+ show more
5. Heath McNease
songwriter
Heath Daniel McNease is an American Christian hip hop and folk rock musician. He released four albums with 7Spin Music, two of those hip hop releases, The Heath McNease Fanclub Meets in 2007 and The Gun Show in 2010, while he released two folk rock roots releases, The House Always Wins in 2010 and Shine On in 2010. The remainder...
+ show more
6. Brad Carter
1973-. (aged 53)
musician
painter
television actor
actor
photographer
David Bradley Carter is an American film and television actor, guitarist, painter, sculptor, and photographer, known for playing Charlie Lange in True Detective and Leland Gruen in Sons of Anarchy.
+ show more
7. Patrick Faber
1978-. (aged 48)
politician
Patrick Jason Faber is a Belizean politician. He was the leader of the Opposition. He formerly served as the minister of Education, Youth Sports and Culture. In July 2020 he was appointed the leader of the United Democratic Party, after Prime Minister Dean Barrow stated his plans to retire at the end of his term.
+ show more
8. Pete Smith
1947-. (aged 79)
basketball player
Pete Smith is an American former professional basketball player.
9. Pauley Perrette
1969-. (aged 57)
voice actor
actor
television actor
writer
film actor
Pauley Perrette is an American retired actress and singer. She played Abby Sciuto in the television series NCIS from 2003 to 2018.
10. Nancy Grace
1959-. (aged 67)
podcaster
lawyer
journalist
television presenter
Nancy Ann Grace is an American legal commentator and television journalist. She hosted Nancy Grace, a nightly celebrity news and current affairs show on HLN, from 2005 to 2016, and Court TV's Closing Arguments from 1996 to 2007. She also co-wrote the book Objection! How High-Priced Defense Attorneys, Celebrity Defendants, and a 24/7 Media Have Hijacked Our Criminal Justice System....
+ show more
11. Ray McKinnon
1957-. (aged 69)
screenwriter
film director
television actor
film producer
actor
Raymond Wilkes McKinnon is an American actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer. He appeared in television series and films, including Apollo 13 (1995), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), the Oscar-winning short The Accountant (2001), Deadwood (2004), Sons of Anarchy (2011), and Mayans M.C. (2018–2023).
+ show more
12. Don Hahnfeldt
1944-2017 (aged 73)
politician
Don Hahnfeldt was an American politician.