Notable Alumni

What you will find here is not a definitive list of the “top” or the “most important” Scouting alumni. It is a simple, informal way to share the stories of some of Scouting’s most influential people.

Inspiration comes in many forms, so we’ve cultivated a few stories we hope can serve as inspiration for current and future Scouts.  

What you will find here is not a definitive list of the “top” or the “most important” Scouting alumni. It is a simple, informal way to share the stories of some of Scouting’s most influential people. Inspiration comes in many forms, so we’ve cultivated a few stories we hope can serve as inspiration for current and future Scouts. 

In honor of our organization’s 115th birthday in 2025, “Aaron on Scouting” highlighted 115 Scouts who became famous.

Gary Paulsen

Three-Time Newbery Award-Winning Author

Ross Perot

Philanthropist, Public Servant, Business Executive

Earl Old Person

Chief of the Blackfeet Nation

Don Pettit

NASA’s Oldest Active Astronaut

T. Boone Pickens

Oil Magnate, Philanthropist

Mary Louise Portis

Scouting Groundbreaker

Ralph Puckett

Medal of Honor Recipient

Brian Rosenthal

Investigative Journalist

Mike Rowe

A Scout is Clean, But Not Afraid to Get Dirty

Donald Rumsfield

Secretary of Defense

Gary Ruvkun

Pioneer in Gene Regulation

Joel Sartore

Conservation Photographer

Jack Schmitt

Astronaut, Senator, Geologist

Alan Simpson

Senator

Paul Siple

Antarctic Explorer

Britt K. Slabinski

Medal of Honor Recipient