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A long history

Founded as Queen's College in 1766, Rutgers University this week is celebrating its 250th anniversary.

From the star of one of television's most acclaimed shows to the biochemist who helped cure tuberculosis, here are 20 of the most-famous people to go to Rutgers University. (Courtesy of Rutgers University)

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The criteria

What makes someone famous?

According to Merriam-Webster's definition, there are two type of famous people. Those who are "widely known" and those who are "honored for achievement."

So while some former Rutgers students may be household names among sports fans or political junkies, this list is for the names and faces most widely recognized and the men and women who have received major honors in their field.

Browse through the gallery and let us know who you think deserves to be on the list in the comments section below.

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James Gandolfini

James Gandolfini, famous for his role as mob boss Tony Soprano in the hit series, "The Sopranos," graduated from Rutgers in 1984. (AP file photo)

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Mario Batali

Renowned chef and television personality Mario Batali graduated from Rutgers in 1982. (Nicholas Kammnicholas | Getty)

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Elizabeth Warren

Before getting into politics, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, earned her law degree from Rutgers School of Law in Newark. (Andrew Harnik | AP photo)

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Oswald "Ozzie" Nelson

Television icon Oswald "Ozzie" Nelson earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers in 1927. Three years later, he completed his law degree at Rutgers School of Law in Newark.

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Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson was an activist, athlete, singer, actor and one of the biggest celebrities of his time. He graduated from Rutgers in 1919. (Star-Ledger file photo)

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Carli Lloyd

Before she starred for the U.S. women's soccer team, Carli Lloyd played for Rutgers University and earned her degree in 2006. Lloyd famously scored three goals in the finals of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. (Lori M. Nichols | For NJ.com)

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Marc Ecko

Lakewood native Marc Ecko went to Rutgers to become a pharmacist like his father. But he left college early in 1993 and became a successful fashion designer. (Courtesy of Complex Media)

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Avery Brooks

Actor Avery Brooks, famed for portraying Benjamin Sisko on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" graduated from Rutgers in 1973. He earned a master's degree in 1976.

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Kristin Davis

Before playing Charlotte in the popular television series "Sex and The City," Kristin Davis graduated from Rutgers in 1987.

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Selman Waksman

Microbiologist Selman Waksman graduated from Rutgers in 1915. Waksman received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1952 after discovering streptomycin, an antibiotic used to cure tuberculosis. (Courtesy of Rutgers)

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Philip Roth

Before winning the Pulitzer Prize, novelist Philip Roth took classes at Rutgers-Newark. He later graduated from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. (Eric Thayer | Reuters)

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Calista Flockhart

Calista Flockhart, star of the "Ally McBeal" television series, graduated from Rutgers Univeristy in 1988.

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David Stern

Former NBA commissioner David Stern graduated from Rutgers in in 1963. (Andrew Mills | The Star-Ledger)

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Junot Diaz

Junot Diaz, the author who won the Pulitzer Prize in 2008, graduated from Rutgers in 1992. (Star-Ledger file photo)

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Natalie Morales

Natalie Morales, formerly of "The Today Show," graduated from Rutgers in 1994.

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Robert Pinsky

Renowned poet Robert Pinsky graduated from Rutgers in 1962. He previously served as the Poet Laureate of the United State, the nation's official poet.

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Milton Friedman

Economist Milton Friedman won the Nobel Prize in 1977. He graduated from Rutgers in 1932.

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Janet Evanovich

Janet Evanovich, the bestselling author, graduated from Douglass College at Rutgers in 1965. (Courtesy of Roland Scarpa)

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Alfred Joyce Kilmer

Poet and soldier Alfred Joyce Kilmer graduated from Rutgers in 1908. He's best known for his poem "Trees."

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Sheryl Lee Ralph

Actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph, who starred on "Dreamgirls" on Broadway and "Moesha" on television, graduated from Rutgers in 1975.

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Just missed the cut

It's a close call, but these other famous former Rutgers students didn't make the cut:

Actor Roy Scheider (transfered to Franklin and Marshall)

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh, Class of 1971, School of Law Class of 1974

Basketball coach Jim Valvano, Class of 1967

Comedian Bill Bellamy, Class of 1989

Eric LeGrand, Class of 2014

Ray Rice, member of Rutgers football team (2005-07)

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Who did we forget?

If you think there's someone who deserved to make the list, let us know in the comments section below.

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