List of Western Illinois University people

The following is a list of notable people associated with Western Illinois University, located in the American city of Macomb, Illinois.

## Notable alumni

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### Politicians and government officials

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#### Federal government

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* Darwin Gale Schisler, Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives for Illinois's 19th congressional district from 1965 to 1967. He earned his B.A. at Western Illinois University[1]
* Vincent R. Stewart, LtGen US Marine Corps and 20th Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency[2]
* Tim Walberg, Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for Michigan's 7th congressional district since 2011. He attended Western Illinois University, but earned his B.A. at Taylor University[3]
* Harlan Watson, Special Envoy to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change[4]

#### State legislators

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* Tod Bowman, Democratic member of the Iowa Senate for District 29. He earned his M.Ed. at the university.[5]
* Rich Brauer, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 87th district (2003–2015). He attended Western, but did not graduate
* Kathie Conway, Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives representing the 104th district since 2011. She graduated with a B.S. in Law Enforcement Administration[6]
* Kirk Dillard, Republican member of the Illinois Senate (1994–2014) and gubernatorial candidate in 2010 and 2014.[7][8]
* Randy Frese, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 94th district (2015–present). He earned B.S. in agriculture from Western[9]
* Regis Groff, Democratic member of the Colorado Senate from the 33rd district (1974–1994). He was the second African-American elected to the Colorado Senate[10]
* Norine Hammond, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2010–present). Her district, the 93rd, includes the university's Macomb campus[11]
* Joe Hutter, Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. He earned his B.A. from Western.[12]
* Kimberly Lightford, Assistant Majority Leader in the Illinois Senate. She has represented the 4th district since 1998. She earned a B.A. in communications at Western.[13]
* Mona Martin, Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives for the 43rd district (1993-2001). She earned her B.S. from Western[14]
* Jerry L. Mitchell, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1995–2012). He represented the 90th district and earned his Ed.S. at Western Illinois University[15]
* John Millner, Republican member of the Illinois Senate representing the 28th district (2005–2013). Earned his master's degree in criminal justice administration at the university[16]
* Richard P. Myers, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1995–2010. He earned his B.S. at the university[17]
* Cynthia Nava, Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate from 1992 to 2012
* Timothy H. Osmond, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 61st district (1999–2002)[18]
* James O'Toole, Democratic member of the Missouri House of Representatives from 1992 to 2002. He attended Western Illinois University, but graduated from University of Missouri at St. Louis
* Matthew Rinker, Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives from district 99 (2023–present). He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics.[19]
* Todd Sieben Republican member of the Illinois Senate (1993–2008). He earned his B.S. in business administration at Western[20]
* Mike Smiddy, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 71st district (2013–present). He attended Western Illinois University[21]
* Litesa Wallace, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 67th district (2014–present). She earned her B.A. and M.Ed. from Western[22]
* Frank B. Wood, Democratic member of the Iowa Senate from the 42nd district.[23]

#### Local officeholders

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* Matthew Shirk, Public Defender of Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit Court (2008–16). He earned his B.S. at the university in 1997[24]

#### Activists

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* Mary Matalin, Republican political strategist who worked on the campaigns of Dave O'Neal, George H. W. Bush and served as chief of staff to Lee Atwater[25]
* Erin Merryn, activist behind Erin’s Law, a law requiring kids be taught personal body safety education, which has been passed in 37 states
* Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. She is a human rights advocate who has worked for the Anti-Defamation League. She earned her M.S. at Western[26]
* C. T. Vivian, leader in the Civil Rights Movement who participated in the Freedom Rides

#### International figures

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* Ahmet Kenan Tanrıkulu – Turkish politician
* Camilo Osías Filipino politician

### Business

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* Robert Nardelli – former chairman and chief executive officer of Chrysler, former president and CEO of Home Depot
* Jeremy Schoemaker – internet entrepreneur

### Media and arts

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* Michael Boatman – actor and author
* Cisco Cotto \- radio host, pastor, and professor
* Mark Konkol – 2011 Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist (Chicago Sun-Times)
* John Mahoney – actor, Frasier, taught at Western
* Doug Quick \- broadcast weatherman, author and museum curator
* Warhol.SS — rapper, dropped out after one week

### Education

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* David L. Chicoine, 19th president of South Dakota State University (2007–present). He earned his M.A. at Western Illinois University[27]
* Bob Krause, vice president for Institutional Advancement at Kansas State University (1986–2009). He served as acting Athletic Director from 2008 to 2009
* Michael Shonrock, 22nd president of Lindenwood University[28]
* Paul Vallas, education administrator who has served as the chief executive for Chicago Public Schools (1995–2001), School District of Philadelphia (2002–2006) and the Recovery School District of Louisiana (2007–2012)[29]
* Syed Abul Kalam Azad, treasurer of University of Dhaka[30]

### Athletes and coaches

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* Jaelon Acklin \- Canadian Football League
* Don Beebe – National Football League
* David Bowens – National Football League
* Fabien Bownes – National Football League
* Lee Calhoun – Olympic gold medal winner
* Bryan Cox – National Football League
* Joe Dykstra \- National Basketball Association
* Booker Edgerson – National Football League
* Larry Garron – National Football League
* Don Greco – National Football League
* Rodney Harrison – National Football League
* Edgerton Hartwell – National Football League
* Frisman Jackson – National Football League
* William James – National Football League
* Kosuke Kimura – soccer midfielder for the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer
* Gary Lagesse – Hall of Fame Softball Coach
* Gene Lamont – Major League Baseball
* Rob Lazeo – Canadian Football League
* Lamar McGriggs – National Football League
* Russ Michna – Arena Football League
* Red Miller – former head coach of the NFL Denver Broncos and USFL Denver Gold
* Dennis Morgan – National Football League
* J. R. Niklos – National Football League
* Terell Parks (born 1991) - basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Paul Reuschel – Major League Baseball
* Rick Reuschel – Major League Baseball
* Jimmy Ray Robinson \- National Football League
* Khalen Saunders – Super Bowl champion (LIV) - National Football League
* Mike Scifres – National Football League
* Rich Seubert – National Football League
* Paul Singer \- National Football League
* Rick Short – Major League Baseball
* Tom Soehn – director of soccer operations for Vancouver Whitecaps FC
* Aaron Stecker – National Football League
* John Teerlinck – National Football League
* Marco Thomas – Canadian Football League
* Mike Wagner – National Football League
* Jason Williams – National Football League
* Frank Winters – National Football league

## References

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1. ^ "Bioguide Search". bioguide.congress.gov.
2. ^ "About DIA".
3. ^ "Bioguide Search".
4. ^ "Alumni Achievement Awards - 2010 - Alumni - Western Illinois University".
5. ^ "Senator Tod Bowman | Iowa Senate District 29". www.senate.iowa.gov. Archived from the original on 2014-04-23.
6. ^ "Missouri House of Representatives - Error".
7. ^ "Senate Member Details".
8. ^ "On Republican ballot, Dillard for Illinois governor". 15 February 2014.
9. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography".
10. ^ "Tribute to State Senator Regis Groff | Capitol Words". Archived from the original on 2014-10-08. Retrieved 2014-10-08.
11. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography".
12. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System".
13. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Senator Biography".
14. ^ Iowa Legislative Services Agency. "State Representative". Retrieved 7 July 2020.
15. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography".
16. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Senator Biography".
17. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography".
18. ^ 'Rep. Timothy H. Osmond, 53, Chicago Tribune, Matthew Walberg, December 18, 2002
19. ^ "State Representative". Iowa Legislature. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
20. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Senator Biography".
21. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography".
22. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography".
23. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". votesmart.org.
24. ^ "Matthew Shirk". avvo.com.
25. ^ "Washington Speakers Bureau". www.washingtonspeakers.com. Archived from the original on 2011-12-06.
26. ^ "UNICEF USA Announces Planned Departure of President and CEO Caryl Stern".
27. ^ "Office of the President". 5 June 2023.
28. ^ "Michael D. Shonrock - Cover Letter, Resume and References" (PDF). ulsystem.edu.
29. ^ "School's out for Vallas". 29 June 2013.
30. ^ "Message from the Treasurer". University of Dhaka. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016. "12\. Prof. Syed Abul Kalam Azad – 04.02.2006 – 23.01.2009"

## External links

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* Official website – Western Illinois University

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Western Illinois University

Located in Macomb, Illinois

Campus|

* Sherman Hall

Athletics|

* Sports: Western Illinois Leathernecks
* Baseball
* Men's basketball
* Women's basketball
* Football

* Venues: Alfred D. Boyer Stadium
* Brophy Courts
* Hanson Field
* Harry Mussatto Golf Course
* MacKenzie Alumni Field
* Mary Ellen McKee Softball Stadium
* Spring Lake Course
* Western Hall

* Traditions: Western Illinois Marching Leathernecks

Media|

* WIUM
* WIUS
* WIUW

People|

* List of Western Illinois University people

* Founded: 1899

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