List of Southern Illinois University alumni

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "List of Southern Illinois University alumni" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Southern Illinois University Carbondale has had a number of notable alumni since it was first founded in 1869.

## Academics

[edit]

* Robert Coover, T.B. Stowell Adjunct Professor of Literary Arts at Brown University[1]
* Algeania Freeman, academic administrator
* Clara E. Hill, professor of psychology at University of Maryland College Park[2]
* Gertrude Hull - history teacher for 40 years; tutor to Douglas MacArthur
* Louise Huffman \- teacher and educator on US Antarctic programs[3]
* John L. Koprowski, Dean of the Haub School of Environment 7 Natural Resources University of Wyoming, conservation biologist, Aldo Leopold Memorial Award from The Wildlife Society (M.A. Zoology 1985)
* Sir Curtis Price, KBE, current head of New College, Oxford, former President of the Royal Academy of Music[4] and former president of the Royal Musical Association[5]
* L. Eudora Pettigrew, former president of SUNY Old Westbury, first African-American president in the SUNY system[6][7]
* Wilfred Reilly \- Kentucky State University professor, author of "Hate Crime Hoax,"[8] and opponent of the alt-right movement

## Artists

[edit]

* Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, artist[9]
* Shinichi Ishizuka, manga artist[10]
* Mary Manning, photographer[11]

## Business people

[edit]

* Curt Jones, founder of Dippin' Dots[12]
* Kenny Troutt, founder of telecommunications company Excel Communications[13]

## Crime

[edit]

* Timothy Krajcir, serial killer[14]

## Entertainers

[edit]

* Jim Belushi, actor/comedian[15]
* Hannibal Buress, stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer
* Don S. Davis, actor best known for role on Stargate SG-1[16]
* Bil Dwyer, actor, comedian[17]
* Dennis Franz, actor best known for his work on NYPD Blue[12][18]
* Dick Gregory (attended), actor, author, comedian, activist[19]
* Justin Hartley, actor, best known for role on This is Us
* Steve James, documentary director and producer of Sundance award-winning Hoop Dreams and Stevie[20]
* Jenny McCarthy (attended), actress and Playmate of the Year, was studying nursing at SIU when she submitted her photo to Playboy[21]
* Melissa McCarthy, actress, famous for her role in Gilmore Girls and the motion picture Spy
* Gary Miller, ESPN SportsCenter anchor[22]
* Tom Minton, animation producer, writer, artist
* Bob Odenkirk, actor/writer/comedian[23]
* Tim O'Malley, actor/comedian, Godshow, Second City alum[24]
* Randal Mario Poffo, also known as professional wrestler Macho Man Randy Savage; graduated 1971
* Rick Rizzs, broadcaster for the Seattle Mariners[25]
* Richard Roundtree, actor, Shaft[26]
* Ken Swofford, film and television actor, best known for Thelma and Louise (1991 film), Murder She Wrote (1984 drama series)
* Robert K. Weiss, producer of The Blues Brothers[12]
* Walt Willey, actor best known for All My Children

## Musicians

[edit]

* Hamiet Bluiett, jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer[27]
* Shawn Colvin, musician, singer[28]
* Lee England Jr., violinist, vocalist, arranger, and composer
* Open Mike Eagle, rapper[29]
* Darryl Jones, bassist of The Rolling Stones
* David Lee Murphy, musician, singer
* Jason Ringenberg, musician, singer
* Mathien, singer, producer

## Politicians and government officials

[edit]

### Federal government

[edit]

* Roland Burris, former U.S. Senator from Illinois (2009–2010); previously served as Illinois Comptroller and Illinois Attorney General[12]
* Jack Davis, U.S. Congressman from Illinois's 4th Congressional District who served from 1987 to 1989[30]
* William Enyart, U.S. Congressman from Illinois's 12th Congressional District; served from 2013 to 2013; law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law[31]
* Julio M. Fuentes, circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit[32]
* Tim Lee Hall, U.S. Congressman; represented Illinois's 15th Congressional District from 1975 to 1977[33]
* Donald McHenry, United States ambassador to the United Nations (from 1979 to 1981)[12]
* Brett James McMullen, Retired Brigadier General, United States Air Force Brett James McMullen
* David D. Phelps, U.S. Congressman from Illinois's 19th congressional district who served from 1999 to 2003[34]
* Glenn Poshard, former U.S. Congressman, gubernatorial candidate, president of SIU[12]
* Larry O. Spencer, Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force Larry O. Spencer

### Statewide officeholders

[edit]

* Randy Daniels, former New York Secretary of State[35]
* Albert E. Mead, former Governor of Washington[36]

### State legislators

[edit]

* Carl Bearden, member of the Missouri House of Representatives
* Kenneth Buzbee, Democratic member of the Illinois Senate representing the 58th district (1972–1984)[37]
* John Cavaletto, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 107th district (2009–present)[38]
* Jerry Costello II, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 116th district (2011–present)[39]
* William Davis, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 30th district (2002–present)[40]
* Chad Hays, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 104th district (2010–present)[41]
* Jeanette Mott Oxford, Democratic member of the Missouri House of Representatives
* Mary Nichols, Democratic member of the Missouri House of Representatives representing the 72nd district (2010–present)[42]
* Lena Taylor, Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate for the 4th district (since 2005)[43]
* Art Turner, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2010–present)[44]
* Kathleen Vinehout, Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate representing the 31st district (since 2007)[45]
* Grant Wehrli, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 41st district (2015–present)
* Whitney Westerfield, politician

### Local officeholders

[edit]

* Howard Brookins, Chicago Alderman for the 21st ward[46]
* Forrest Claypool, member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners for District 12 (2002–2006), CEO of Chicago Public Schools
* David Coss, Mayor of Santa Fe, New Mexico (2006–2014)[47]
* Jason Ervin, Chicago Alderman for the 28th ward[48]

### International figures

[edit]

* Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq, Pakistani politician and son of former President General Zia-ul-Haq
* Joe Hung (Master's degree in journalism, 1965), Taiwanese journalist (Central News Agency) and diplomat, Representative of Taiwan to Italy (1993–2000)[49]

## Sports figures

[edit]

### Baseball

[edit]

* Sam Coonrod, MLB pitcher
* Jim Dwyer, former Major League Baseball outfielder[50]
* Steve Finley, former Major League Baseball center fielder, 5-time Gold Glove winner, 2-time All-Star[50]
* Jason Frasor, Major League Baseball pitcher[50]
* Joe Hall, former Major League Baseball pitcher[50]
* Jerry Hairston Jr., Major League Baseball second baseman[50]
* Dan Hartleb, college baseball coach at Illinois
* Duane Kuiper, former Major League Baseball second baseman, announcer, commentator for EA Sports baseball video games[50]
* Al Levine, Major League Baseball pitcher[50]
* Skip Pitlock, former Major League pitcher
* Derek Shelton, Major League Baseball manager, Pittsburgh Pirates
* Bill Stein, former Major League Baseball infielder[50]
* Dave Stieb, former Major League Baseball pitcher, 7-time All Star[50]
* Taira Uematsu (born 1983), Japanese coach for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball

### Basketball

[edit]

* Ashraf Amaya, former NBA player[51]
* Chris Carr, former NBA player[51]
* Walt Frazier, Basketball Hall of Famer and named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History[12]
* Mike Glenn, former NBA player[51]
* Bryan Mullins, current Men's Basketball Head Coach
* Nate Hawthorne, former NBA player Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns
* Troy Hudson, NBA guard[51]
* Joe Meriweather, NBA center
* Matt Shaw, former European Professional League

### Football

[edit]

* Lionel Antoine, former NFL offensive tackle
* Houston Antwine, former NFL defensive lineman
* Tom Baugh, former NFL player
* Amos Bullocks, former NFL running back
* Jeremy Chinn, current NFL safety for the Carolina Panthers
* Madre Harper, current NFL cornerback for the Carolina Panthers
* Jim Hart, former NFL quarterback, 4-time Pro Bowl selection[52]
* Kevin House, former NFL player[53]
* Brandon Jacobs, NFL running back[54]
* Craig James, current NFL cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles
* Yonel Jourdain, NFL running back for the Buffalo Bills
* Deji Karim, NFL running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars[55]
* Carl Mauck, former NFL player and NFL coach
* Ryan Neal, current NFL safety for the Seattle Seahawks
* MyCole Pruitt, NFL tight end[56]
* Marion Rushing, former NFL linebacker
* Bart Scott, NFL linebacker[57]
* Sam Silas, former NFL lineman
* Russ Smith, former NFL guard
* Sebron Spivey, former NFL wide receiver
* Terry Taylor, former NFL cornerback
* Ernie Wheelwright, former NFL running back
* Adrian White, former NFL safety
* Jan Quarless, former football player and head coach at the SIU Carbondale

### Other

[edit]

* Ron Ballatore, NCAA championship swimming coach, five-time Olympic swimming coach
* Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls, IFBB professional bodybuilder
* Roger Counsil, NCAA championship gymnastics coach
* Mick Haley, USA Olympic volleyball coach
* Frank Schmitz, four time individual NCAA gymnastics champion and silver medalist at the 1965 Trampoline World Championships
* Cameron Wright, retired high jumper; competed at the 1996 Olympic Games; Southern Illinois University Hall of Fame 2011

## Writers and journalists

[edit]

* Jim Bittermann, CNN European correspondent based in Paris[58]
* Chris Bury, ABC news anchor[12]
* Bill Christine, sports writer and author[59]
* Joan Lovett (Lovelace), CBS four-time Emmy award winner
* Adrian Matejka, poet, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize[60] and National Book Award[61] in poetry
* Michael Meyerhofer, poet and fantasy author
* P.S. Mueller, cartoonist for The New Yorker[18]
* Jason Pargin, fantasy author
* Jared Yates Sexton, author, political commentator, and creative writing professor
* Chad Simpson, Micro Award-winning short and flash fiction author
* Jackie Spinner, writer at the Washington Post and author of Tell Them I Didn't Cry: A Young Journalist's Story of Joy, Loss, and Survival in Iraq[62]

## Others

[edit]

* Matthew F. Hale (Law School, 1998), white supremacist who solicited the murder of federal judge Joan Lefkow[63]
* Joan E. Higginbotham, astronaut[12]
* Rodney P. Kelly, retired Major General, U.S. Air Force
* Thomas McClelland, retired Captain, U.S. Navy
* Johnny R. Miller, Assistant Adjutant General of the Illinois Army National Guard
* Joseph Nechvatal, digital artist and art theoretician
* Michael J. Schwerin, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy
* Dennis E. Spies, Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Diocese of Joliet
* Michael Swango, physician and serial murderer[64]
* Mallica Vajrathon, United Nations senior staff member

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Literary Arts Program: faculty". Archived from the original on March 3, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
2. ^ "Hill, Clara". University of Maryland Department of Psychology. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
3. ^ "Empowering Educators at the School of Ice". antarcticsun.usap.gov. Antarctic Sun. 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
4. ^ "Senior Staff: Principal". Archived from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
5. ^ "Council Members & Officers". Archived from the original on June 19, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
6. ^ "Luella Pettigrew Obituary (2021) - Legacy Remembers". Legacy.com. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
7. ^ Frohlich, Dustin (September 2016). "L. Eudora Pettigrew papers | Manuscript and Archival Collection Finding Aids". University of Delaware Libraries. Gift of Peter W. Woodard, May 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
8. ^ Reilly, Wilfred (February 22, 2019). "Hate crime hoaxes, like Jussie Smollett's alleged attack, are more common than you think". USA Today.
9. ^ "Artist in Residence: Artist Bio". N'namdi Center for Contemporary Art. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
10. ^ 石塚真一. Mangapedia [ja] (in Japanese). Voyage Group. Retrieved August 29, 2024.+[ja]&rft.atitle=石塚真一&rft_id=https://mangapedia.com/%E7%9F%B3%E5%A1%9A%E7%9C%9F%E4%B8%80-mgmvx6p7a&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:List+of+Southern+Illinois+University+alumni" class="Z3988">
11. ^ "Mary Manning: Artist in Residence". Mahler & LeWitt Studios. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
12. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Distinguished Alumni Wall". Archived from the original on March 1, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
13. ^ "Troutt-Wittmann Academic and Training Center". Retrieved August 14, 2007.
14. ^ Ramsland, Katherine. "Educated Serial Killers: Which serial killers actually earned college or graduate degrees?". Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
15. ^ "According to Jim Bios". Retrieved June 23, 2007.
16. ^ "Don S. Davis Bio - Don S. Davis Biography - Don S. Davis Stories". Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2008.
17. ^ "Last Comic Standing: Bill Dwyer". Archived from the original on June 30, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
18. ^ a b Utterback, Wayne (April 19, 2007). "Emprace the 'Dark': Author, SIUC alumnus reprints book about Strip". Daily Egyptian. p. 7.
19. ^ "Dick Gregory: Global Watch-Biography". Archived from the original on June 17, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
20. ^ "Steve James Biography-Yahoo!Movies". Retrieved June 23, 2007.
21. ^ "Jenny McCarthy Picture, Profile, Gossip, and News at CelebrityWonder.com". Archived from the original on May 14, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
22. ^ "Jenny Gary Miller Class of 1974". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
23. ^ "Biography for Bob Odenkirk". IMDb. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
24. ^ https://aol.imdb.com/name/nm0641795/resum[permanent dead link]
25. ^ "Team: Broadcasters". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
26. ^ "The Working Actor: Richard Roundtree". Retrieved June 23, 2007.
27. ^ "Hamiet Bluiett". mapleshaderecords.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
28. ^ "Artist Description for Shawn Colvin". Retrieved June 23, 2007.
29. ^ "BA #064:'Open' Mike Eagle". Box Angeles podcast.
30. ^ "Bioguide Search".
31. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 3, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
32. ^ "Federal Circuit Judge to Visit Law School". SIU News. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
33. ^ "Bioguide Search".
34. ^ "Bioguide Search".
35. ^ "SIUC launches 1st Capital Campaign". Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
36. ^ "Washington Governor Albert E. Mead". National Governors Association. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
37. ^ "Former state senator, broadcaster Kenneth Buzbee to give talk in Herrin | Local News | thesouthern.com".
38. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography". Ilga.gov. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
39. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography". Ilga.gov. February 13, 1969. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
40. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography". Ilga.gov. July 2, 1968. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
41. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography". Ilga.gov. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
42. ^ "Missouri House of Representatives". Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
43. ^ "4th Senate District – Lena Taylor" (PDF). Wisconsin Blue Book (2015-2016). Wisconsin State Assembly: 26. January 15, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
44. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography". Ilga.gov. July 17, 1982. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
45. ^ "31st Senate District – Kathleen Vinehout" (PDF). Wisconsin Blue Book (2015-2016). Wisconsin State Assembly: 80. January 15, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
46. ^ "About Your Alderman Howard B Brookins Jr". Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
47. ^ "Mayor David Coss". Archived from the original on July 24, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
48. ^ "Meet Alderman Ervin - Alderman Jason C. Ervin". Aldermanervin.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
49. ^ "Late journalist-diplomat Joe Hung remembered as man of erudition and veracity". Eye on Taiwan Media. March 6, 2018. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
50. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Southern Illinois University Baseball Players Who Made it to the Major Leagues". Retrieved June 23, 2007.
51. ^ a b c d "Players who Played for Southern Illinois University". Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
52. ^ "Southern Illinois Alumni Football Cards". Retrieved June 23, 2007.
53. ^ "Kevin House". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
54. ^ "Player-Brandon Jacobs". Archived from the original on June 30, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
55. ^ "Deji Karim". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
56. ^ "MyCole Pruitt Stats, News and Video - TE". NFL.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
57. ^ "Bart Scott". NFL.com. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
58. ^ "Radio-Television Goes Golden" (PDF). Daily Egyptian. October 5, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 24, 2012.
59. ^ Gauen, Pat (May 3, 2018). "Author seeks to link three Belleville murders". St. Louis Post-Gazette. p. A6. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
60. ^ "The Pulitzer Prizes".
61. ^ "National Book Awards 2013 - National Book Foundation".
62. ^ "Spring 2005 Commencement Speaker, Jackie Spinner". Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
63. ^ "The case of Matthew F. Hale: Implications for First Amendment rights, social mores and the direction of bar examiners in an era of intolerance of hatred". The Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics. 2000. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
64. ^ "In Depth: Michael Swango". Archived from the original on July 8, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2007.

## External links

[edit]

* Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Recreation Center's Distinguished Alumni Wall