Norwegian University of Science and Technology - Noted Alumni

Noted Alumni

NTNU's most visible living alumnus is Fred Kavli, who graduated from NTH, one of NTNU's predecessors, and who founded The Kavli Foundation when he retired from a successful career as head of Kavlico Corp., one of the world's largest suppliers of sensors for aeronautics, automotive and industrial applications.

The university's only living Nobel laureate is Ivar Giaever, who graduated from NTH in 1952, and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1973. Lars Onsager, another NTH graduate (1925), won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1968. John Ugelstad (1921–1997) was a chemical engineer at the university who created monodisperse polymer beads, which are now widely used in medical technology.

Other alumni of note are:

• Gunvald Aus, (1879) Norwegian-American engineer most associated with the engineering of the Woolworth Building in New York City.
• Jens G. Balchen, electronics engr., professor, "father of Norwegian cybernetics", IEEE fellow
• Alf Egil Bogen, electronics engr., co-inventor of Atmel AVR µcontroller, co-founder of Atmel Norway
• Helmer Dahl, electronics engr., WWII radar and ASDIC pioneer, research and industry mentor, technology historian
• Asbjorn Folling - graduated (1916), Jahreprisen 1960
• Martin Sigvart Grytbak - graduated (1903), Norwegian-American engineer involved in the design of the great bridges of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.
• Bjarne Hurlen, mechanical engr., army officer, defence industry executive (Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk 1956–1975)
• Ediz Hun, biology & environmental sciences, lecturer at Marmara University, former Member of Turkish Grand National Assemble and famous Turkish actor
• Ralph Høibakk, physicist, computer industry executive, mountaineer, adventurer (Seven Summits; South Pole)
• Lars Monrad Krohn, electronics engr., industrialist (mini- and microcomputers)
• Olav Landsverk, electronics engr., military weapon systems computer pioneer, professor
• John M. Lervik, electronics engr., co-founder and CEO of cXense, co-founder and former CEO of Fast Search & Transfer (FAST)
• Finn Lied, electronics engr., WWII resistance agent, defence research director, Minister of Industry
• Terje Michalsen, electronics engr., venture capitalist
• Trond Halstein Moe, opera singer
• Ingvild Myhre, electronics engr., telecom industry executive (Alcatel Telecom Norway, Telenor Mobil)
• Robert K. Nilssen, electrical engr., professor, IEEE fellow
• Kristoffer Olsen Oustad - graduated (1882), Norwegian American Civil Engineer
• Venketa Parthasarathy, chemical engr., noted for work on wood pulp and two-stage oxygen delignification
• Johan Richter, mechanical engr.graduated 1924, inventor with more than 750 worldwide patents within the paper and pulp industry. Creator and CEO of Kamyr, Karlstad (now Kvaerner Pulping, Karlstad)
• Edgar B. Schieldrop, mechanical engr., student society co-founder, popular science & technology author
• Rune Skarstein, radical economist employed at NTNU
• Rolf Skaar, cybernetics engr., industrialist (minicomputers), Norwegian Space Centre director
• Øystein Stray Spetalen, petroleum engr., Norwegian investor
• Berit Svendsen, telecom. engr., MTM, CTO of Telenor 2000–.
• Anders Talleraas, mechanical engr., MP for 20 years, former Conservative party parliamentary leader
• Vebjørn Tandberg, electronics engr., industrialist (radio, tape recording, television)
• Leif Tronstad, O.B.E., chemist, nuclear chemistry scientist, planner and organiser of WWII's Operation Gunnerside
• Tor Olav Trøim, marine engr., shipping and energy industry executive (Frontline Ltd., Seadrill)
• Tore M. Undeland, electrical engr., professor, international textbook author (Wiley)
• Bror With, mechanical engr., inventor of the Rottefella ski binding and Dromedille dinghy; WWII resistance agent
• Vegard Wollan, electronics engr., co-inventor of Atmel AVR µcontroller, co-founder of Atmel Norway
• Gjert Wilhelmsen, marine engr., co-founder of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines