List of Southern Illinois University alumni explained

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

Academics

• 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

• Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, artist^[9]
• Mary Manning, photographer^[10]

Business people

• Curt Jones, founder of Dippin' Dots^[11]
• Kenny Troutt, founder of telecommunications company Excel Communications^[12]

Crime

• Timothy Krajcir, serial killer^[13]

Entertainers

• James Belushi, actor/comedian^[14]
• Hannibal Buress, stand-up comedian, actor, writer and producer
• Don S. Davis, actor best known for role on Stargate SG-1^[15]
• Bil Dwyer, actor, comedian^[16]
• Dennis Franz, actor best known for his work on NYPD Blue^[17]
• Dick Gregory (attended), actor, author, comedian, activist^[18]
• 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^[19]
• Jenny McCarthy (attended), actress and Playmate of the Year, was studying nursing at SIU when she submitted her photo to Playboy^[20]
• Melissa McCarthy, actress, famous for her role in Gilmore Girls and the motion picture Spy
• Gary Miller, ESPN SportsCenter anchor^[21]
• Tom Minton, animation producer, writer, artist
• Bob Odenkirk, actor/writer/comedian^[22]
• Tim O'Malley, actor/comedian, Godshow, Second City alum^[23]
• Randal Mario Poffo, also known as professional wrestler Macho Man Randy Savage; graduated 1971
• Rick Rizzs, broadcaster for the Seattle Mariners^[24]
• Richard Roundtree, actor, Shaft^[25]
• 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
• Walt Willey, actor best known for All My Children

Musicians

• Hamiet Bluiett, jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer^[26]
• Shawn Colvin, musician, singer^[27]
• Lee England Jr., violinist, vocalist, arranger, and composer
• Open Mike Eagle, rapper^[28]
• Darryl Jones, bassist of The Rolling Stones
• David Lee Murphy, musician, singer
• Jason Ringenberg, musician, singer
• Mathien, singer, producer

Politicians and government officials

Federal government

• Roland Burris, former U.S. Senator from Illinois (2009–2010); previously served as Illinois Comptroller and Illinois Attorney General
• Jack Davis, U.S. Congressman from Illinois's 4th Congressional District who served from 1987 to 1989^[29]
• 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^[30]
• Julio M. Fuentes, circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit^[31]
• Tim Lee Hall, U.S. Congressman; represented Illinois's 15th Congressional District from 1975 to 1977^[32]
• Donald McHenry, United States ambassador to the United Nations (from 1979 to 1981)
• 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^[33]
• Glenn Poshard, former U.S. Congressman, gubernatorial candidate, president of SIU
• Larry O. Spencer, Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force Larry O. Spencer

Statewide officeholders

• Randy Daniels, former New York Secretary of State^[34]
• Albert E. Mead, former Governor of Washington^[35]

State legislators

• Carl Bearden, member of the Missouri House of Representatives
• Kenneth Buzbee, Democratic member of the Illinois Senate representing the 58th district (1972–1984)^[36]
• John Cavaletto, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 107th district (2009–present)^[37]
• Jerry Costello II, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 116th district (2011–present)^[38]
• William Davis, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 30th district (2002–present)^[39]
• Chad Hays, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 104th district (2010–present)^[40]
• 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)^[41]
• Lena Taylor, Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate for the 4th district (since 2005)^[42]
• Art Turner, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2010–present)^[43]
• Kathleen Vinehout, Democratic member of the Wisconsin Senate representing the 31st district (since 2007)^[44]
• Grant Wehrli, Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the 41st district (2015–present)
• Whitney Westerfield, politician

Local officeholders

• Howard Brookins, Chicago Alderman for the 21st ward^[45]
• 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)^[46]
• Jason Ervin, Chicago Alderman for the 28th ward^[47]

International figures

• 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)^[48]

Sports figures

Baseball

• Sam Coonrod, MLB pitcher
• Jim Dwyer, former Major League Baseball outfielder^[49]
• Steve Finley, former Major League Baseball center fielder, 5-time Gold Glove winner, 2-time All-Star
• Jason Frasor, Major League Baseball pitcher
• Joe Hall, former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Jerry Hairston Jr., Major League Baseball second baseman
• Dan Hartleb, college baseball coach at Illinois
• Duane Kuiper, former Major League Baseball second baseman, announcer, commentator for EA Sports baseball video games
• Al Levine, Major League Baseball pitcher
• Skip Pitlock, former Major League pitcher
• Derek Shelton, Major League Baseball manager, Pittsburgh Pirates
• Bill Stein, former Major League Baseball infielder
• Dave Stieb, former Major League Baseball pitcher, 7-time All Star
• Taira Uematsu (born 1983), Japanese coach for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball

Basketball

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

Football

• 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^[51]
• Kevin House, former NFL player^[52]
• Brandon Jacobs, NFL running back^[53]
• 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^[54]
• Carl Mauck, former NFL player and NFL coach
• Ryan Neal, current NFL safety for the Seattle Seahawks
• MyCole Pruitt, NFL tight end^[55]
• Marion Rushing, former NFL linebacker
• Bart Scott, NFL linebacker^[56]
• 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

• 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

• Jim Bittermann, CNN European correspondent based in Paris^[57]
• Chris Bury, ABC news anchor
• Bill Christine, sports writer and author^[58]
• Joan Lovett (Lovelace), CBS four-time Emmy award winner
• Adrian Matejka, poet, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize^[59] and National Book Award^[60] in poetry
• Michael Meyerhofer, poet and fantasy author
• P.S. Mueller, cartoonist for The New Yorker
• 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^[61]

Others

• Matthew F. Hale (Law School, 1998), white supremacist who solicited the murder of federal judge Joan Lefkow^[62]
• Joan E. Higginbotham, astronaut
• 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 Swango, physician and serial murderer^[63]
• Mallica Vajrathon, United Nations senior staff member

External links

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Literary Arts Program: faculty . 2007-06-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080303201039/http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Literary_Arts/biocoover.htm . 2008-03-03 . dead.
2. Web site: Hill, Clara . February 16, 2024 . University of Maryland Department of Psychology.
3. Web site: Empowering Educators at the School of Ice. 2015. antarcticsun.usap.gov. Antarctic Sun. 2016-08-21.
4. Web site: Senior Staff: Principal . 2007-06-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080119040549/http://www.ram.ac.uk/whoswho/senior%2Bstaff/Principal.htm . 2008-01-19 . dead.
5. Web site: Council Members & Officers . 2007-06-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070619050801/http://www.rma.ac.uk/rma/officers.htm . 2007-06-19 . dead.
6. Web site: Luella Pettigrew Obituary (2021) - Legacy Remembers . January 28, 2023 . Legacy.com.
7. Web site: Frohlich . Dustin . September 2016 . Gift of Peter W. Woodard, May 2016. . L. Eudora Pettigrew papers Manuscript and Archival Collection Finding Aids . January 28, 2023 . University of Delaware Libraries.
8. News: Reilly . Wilfred . Hate crime hoaxes, like Jussie Smollett's alleged attack, are more common than you think . USA Today . February 22, 2019.
9. Web site: Artist in Residence: Artist Bio. N'namdi Center for Contemporary Art. 2020-07-26.
10. Web site: Mary Manning: Artist in Residence . September 13, 2023 . Mahler & LeWitt Studios.
11. Web site: Distinguished Alumni Wall . https://archive.today/20080301200927/http://www.siu.edu/rss/tour/tour_pages/alumni_wall.html . dead. 2008-03-01 . 2007-06-23 .
12. Web site: Troutt-Wittmann Academic and Training Center . 2007-08-14 .
13. Web site: Ramsland. Katherine. Educated Serial Killers: Which serial killers actually earned college or graduate degrees?. Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers. 23 April 2018.
14. Web site: According to Jim Bios . 2007-06-23 .
15. Web site: Don S. Davis Bio - Don S. Davis Biography - Don S. Davis Stories . 2008-02-11 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080703213834/http://www.tv.com/don-s.-davis/person/1313/biography.html . 2008-07-03 .
16. Web site: Last Comic Standing: Bill Dwyer . 2007-06-23 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070630004840/http://www.nbc.com/Last_Comic_Standing/comics/bil_dwyer.shtml . 2007-06-30 .
17. News: Utterback . Wayne . Emprace the 'Dark': Author, SIUC alumnus reprints book about Strip . Daily Egyptian . 7 . April 19, 2007.
18. Web site: Dick Gregory: Global Watch-Biography . 2007-06-23 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070617034501/http://www.dickgregory.com/about_dick_gregory.html . 2007-06-17 .
19. Web site: Steve James Biography-Yahoo!Movies . 2007-06-23 .
20. Web site: Jenny McCarthy Picture, Profile, Gossip, and News at CelebrityWonder.com . 2007-06-23 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070514181637/http://www.celebritywonder.com/html/jennymccarthy.html . 2007-05-14 .
21. Web site: Jenny Gary Miller Class of 1974 . 2007-06-23 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927030248/http://www.ncusd203.org/central/html/why/specialr/alumni/miller.htm . 2007-09-27 .
22. Web site: Biography for Bob Odenkirk . . 2007-06-23 .
23. https://aol.imdb.com/name/nm0641795/resum{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
24. Web site: Team: Broadcasters . 2007-06-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716165640/http://industrycentral.net/content/actors/roundtree.html . 2011-07-16 . dead.
25. Web site: The Working Actor: Richard Roundtree . 2007-06-23 .
26. Web site: Hamiet Bluiett. mapleshaderecords.com. 2010-09-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20100831074333/http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/artists/hamiet_bluiett.php. 2010-08-31. dead.
27. Web site: Artist Description for Shawn Colvin . 2007-06-23 .
28. Web site: BA #064:'Open' Mike Eagle. Box Angeles podcast.
29. Web site: Bioguide Search.
30. Web site: Archived copy . 2016-02-03 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160203174848/http://bipac.net/briefings/images/2012.1107FreshmanList.pdf . 2016-02-03 .
31. Web site: Federal Circuit Judge to Visit Law School. SIU News. 23 July 2022.
32. Web site: Bioguide Search.
33. Web site: Bioguide Search.
34. Web site: SIUC launches 1st Capital Campaign . 2007-06-23 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070929062120/http://www.siuf.org/pressroom_article.asp?newsid=33 . 2007-09-29 .
35. Web site: Washington Governor Albert E. Mead. National Governors Association . October 10, 2012.
36. Web site: Former state senator, broadcaster Kenneth Buzbee to give talk in Herrin Local News thesouthern.com.
37. Web site: Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography . Ilga.gov . 2021-11-19.
38. Web site: Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography . Ilga.gov . 1969-02-13 . 2021-11-19.
39. Web site: Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography . Ilga.gov . 1968-07-02 . 2021-11-19.
40. Web site: Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography . Ilga.gov . 2021-11-19.
41. Web site: Missouri House of Representatives . 2016-02-03 . 2016-02-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203144938/http://www.house.mo.gov/bio.aspx?year=2016&district=072 . dead .
42. 4th Senate District – Lena Taylor. Wisconsin State Assembly. Wisconsin Blue Book (2015-2016). 26. 2015-01-15. 2016-02-03.
43. Web site: Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography . Ilga.gov . 1982-07-17 . 2021-11-19.
44. 31st Senate District – Kathleen Vinehout. Wisconsin State Assembly. Wisconsin Blue Book (2015-2016). 80. 2015-01-15. 2016-02-03.
45. Web site: About Your Alderman Howard B Brookins Jr . 2016-02-03 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160328020937/http://www.howardbrookinsjr.com/about_1 . 2016-03-28 .
46. Web site: Mayor David Coss . 2007-06-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070724061651/http://santafenm.gov/executive/mayor/index.asp . 2007-07-24 . dead.
47. Web site: Meet Alderman Ervin - Alderman Jason C. Ervin . Aldermanervin.com . 2021-11-19.
48. News: Late journalist-diplomat Joe Hung remembered as man of erudition and veracity . . 2018-03-06 . 2018-03-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180314020900/https://eyeontw.com/archives/4797 . 2018-03-14 . live.
49. Web site: Southern Illinois University Baseball Players Who Made it to the Major Leagues . 2007-06-23 .
50. Web site: Players who Played for Southern Illinois University . 2007-06-23 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071001021413/http://www.basketball-reference.com/colleges/sillinois.html . October 1, 2007 .
51. Web site: Southern Illinois Alumni Football Cards . 2007-06-23 .
52. Web site: Kevin House . . 2007-06-23 .
53. Web site: Player-Brandon Jacobs . 2007-06-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070630184100/http://giants.com/team/player.asp?player_id=133 . 2007-06-30 . dead.
54. Web site: Deji Karim. CBS Interactive. 7 October 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131021161125/http://www.siusalukis.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/061410aaw.html. 21 October 2013.
55. Web site: MyCole Pruitt Stats, News and Video - TE . NFL.com . 2021-11-19.
56. Web site: Bart Scott . . 2007-06-23 .
57. Web site: Radio-Television Goes Golden . October 5, 2007 . Daily Egyptian . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120724145357/https://files.siude.com/October05Complete.pdf . July 24, 2012 .
58. Gauen, Pat (May 3, 2018). "Author seeks to link three Belleville murders". St. Louis Post-Gazette. p. A6. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
59. Web site: The Pulitzer Prizes.
60. Web site: National Book Awards 2013 - National Book Foundation.
61. Web site: Spring 2005 Commencement Speaker, Jackie Spinner . 2007-06-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080213185215/http://mcma.siu.edu/inner.php?pageID=130 . 2008-02-13 . dead.
62. News: 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 . 2007-06-23 . The Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics . 2000.
63. Web site: In Depth: Michael Swango . 2007-06-23 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070708083309/http://www.courttv.com/onair/shows/mugshots/indepth/swango.html . 2007-07-08 .