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.
Read more about this topic: Vrije Universiteit
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