Vrije Universiteit - Notable Graduates and Former Students

Notable Graduates and Former Students

• Christine Aaftink, multiple National Champion Sprint (skating) and winner of medals at the WC; studied at the faculty of Human Movement Sciences
• James Olthuis, philosopher, theologian, psychotherapist, and Senior Member Emeritus at the Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto.
• Calvin Seerveld, philosopher and Senior Member Emeritus in Philosophical Aesthetics at the Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto.
• Hendrik Hart, philosopher and Senior Member Emeritus at the Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto.
• Gerrit Cornelis Berkouwer, influential theologian and professor at the Vrije Universiteit
• Jan Peter Balkenende, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, studied history and law at the VU
• Wouter Bos, party leader of the Dutch Labour Party and former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands, studied political science and economics at VU
• Elco Brinkman, previous leader of the CDA party, studied political science and law at the VU
• Wim Deetman, Mayor of The Hague, studied political science at the VU
• Piet Hein Donner, Minister of Justice in several cabinets (Balkenende I, II, III) and Minister of Social Affairs (Balkenende IV), studied law at the VU
• Herman Dooyeweerd, founder of Reformational Philosophy, got his Ph.D. at the VU and became a full professor there
• Ellen van Dijk, double World Champion cycling (2008, 2012); studied at the faculty of Human Movement Sciences
• Mient-Jan Faber, well-known peace activist, studied mathematics and physics at the VU and is currently adjunct professor there
• Bas de Gaay Fortman, the world's only Chair in Political Economy of Human Rights
• Benny Giay, Papua activist
• Pim Fortuyn, the assassinated party leader of the LPF studied sociology at the VU.
• Hans van Goor, long-distance swimmer
• Laetitia Griffith, former alderman in the Amsterdam city council, now member of the Dutch parliament, studied law at the VU
• Nico Habermann, well-known computer scientist and professor at Carnegie Mellon University
• Marijke Höweler, writer, studied psychology at the VU.
• Bert Koenders, Minister of Developmental Cooperation in the cabinet Balkenende IV, studied social science at the VU
• Pauline Krikke, former alderman in the Amsterdam city council, now mayor of Arnhem
• Dolf Jansen and Hans Sibbel, together form the comedy team "Lebbis en Jansen," both studied at the VU
• Jona Lendering, Historian and author of seven books, mostly about antiquity
• Linda de Mol, Dutch and German celebrity, who gained her celebrity status from hosting TV shows and acting in movies
• Atzo Nicolaï, Minister of Government Reform and Kingdom Relations in the cabinet Balkenende III, studied law and political science at the VU
• Lewis B. Smedes, American Reformed ethicist and author; also visiting professor at VU
• Nico Rienks, double Olympic Champion rowing (1988, 1996); studied at the faculty of Human Movement Sciences
• André Rouvoet, Minister of Youth and Family Affairs and Vice-Prime Minister in the cabinet Balkenende IV, studied law at the VU
• Robert Charles Sproul, a popular American Reformed theologian and apologist
• Karel Marinus Van Vliet, physicist
• Geert M.N. Verschuuren, Philosophy of Science, in particular Philosophy of Biology
• Werner Vogels, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Amazon.com, got his Ph.D. in Computer Science at the VU
• Gerrit Zalm, Minister of Finance in the cabinets Kok I, Kok II, Balkenende II and Balkenende III, studied and taught economics at VU.