List of Chicago State University people
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The list of Chicago State University people includes notable alumni, non-graduates, faculty and staff, chief executives, and affiliates of the Chicago State University.
- James A. Banks, founding director, Center for Multicultural Education, University of Washington; received bachelor's degree in social science and education from CSU in 1963[1]
- Jack Dongarra, distinguished professor of computer science at the University of Tennessee; earned Bachelor of Science in mathematics at CSU[2]
- Frances Ekstam, professor and founder of the physical therapy program at Indiana University School of Medicine[3]
- LaTanya McDade, first African American and first woman to serve in the role of Superintendent of Prince William County Public Schools in Virginia; earned Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1998
- Cynthia Nance, Nathan G. Gordon Professor of Law at the University of Arkansas School of Law; graduated magna cum laude from CSU[4]
- Martin Ridge, historian and director of research at the Huntington Library; earned bachelor of education at CSU in 1943[5]
- Margaret Taylor-Burroughs, co-founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History[6]
Activism
- Margaret A. Haley, teacher, unionist, and land value tax activist; took classes for several years at CSU when it was Cook County Normal University[7]
- Rhoda Hatch, teacher, anti-war activist and one of the first one hundred people in Chicago to die from COVID-19[8][9][10][11]
- Mamie Till, activist, educator, and mother of Emmett Till; graduated from CSU[12]
- Jacqueline B. Vaughn, first female president of the Chicago Teachers Union[13]
Athletics
- Deji Akindele, professional basketball player for Yalova Group BelediyeSpor of the Turkish Basketball First League[14]
- Darron Brittman, former basketball player; first officially recognized NCAA Division I season steals leader in 1985–86[15]
- Josephine D'Angelo, left fielder who played 1943–1944 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League; later earned her master's degree from CSU[16][17]
- James "Chico" Hernandez, FIAS World Cup Vice-Champion in Sombo Wrestling; graduated from CSU[18]
- David Holston, basketball player for JDA Dijon Basket of France's LNB Pro A; played for the Chicago State Cougars men's basketball team[19]
- Bob Janecyk, goaltender for Chicago Blackhawks 1983–1984 and Los Angeles Kings 1984–1989; played for CSU and graduated in 1978[20]
- John Mallee, Major League Baseball hitting coach, Philadelphia Phillies; attended CSU[21]
- Wayne Molis, professional basketball player who played for the New York Knicks 1966–1967; played for the Chicago State Cougars men's basketball team[22]
- Royce Parran, professional basketball player who last played for Belfius Mons-Hainaut of the Belgian Basketball League; played for the Chicago State Cougars men's basketball team[23]
- Clarke Rosenberg (born 1993), American-Israeli basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League
- Tony Weeden, professional basketball player; played for the Chicago State Cougars men's basketball team[24]
- Willye White, first American track and field athlete to take part in five Olympics, competing on the 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1972 teams; graduated from CSU in 1976 with a degree in public health administration[25]
Arts and entertainment
- William D. Alexander, film producer; studied at CSU for several years[26][27]
- John Curulewski, guitarist, vocalist and founding member of Styx; attended CSU in the late 1960s and early 1970s[28]
- Dennis DeYoung, singer, songwriter and founding member of Styx; attended CSU in the late 1960s and early 1970s[28]
- Christine Houston, playwright, educator, screenwriter, and creator of 227 (TV series); received bachelor's degree from CSU in 2017; former CSU instructor;[29] received honorary doctorate from CSU in 2025[30]
- Tina Howe, playwright of Museum, The Art of Dining, Painting Churches, Coastal Disturbances and Pride's Crossing[31]
- RM Johnson, author of The Harris Men, The Million Dollar Divorce, Love Frustration and The Million Dollar Demise; graduated CSU[32]
- Nicole Mitchell, jazz flautist; alumna and part-time instructor at CSU[33]
- Chuck Panozzo, bass guitarist and founding member of Styx; attended CSU in the late 1960s and early 1970s[28]
- John Panozzo, drummer and founding member of Styx; attended CSU in the late 1960s and early 1970s[28]
- Law Roach, celebrity stylist and judge on America’s Next Top Model[34]
- Kanye West, rapper and record producer; attended CSU, but did not graduate, hence his debut album title The College Dropout[35]
- Steven Whitehurst, author, poet and educator; graduated from CSU in 1990[36]
Business
- Edith Heath (deceased), studio potter and founder of Heath Ceramics[37]
Government and law
U.S. government and politics
- Danny K. Davis (1968), member of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois's 7th congressional district since 1997[38]
- Blanche M. Manning (deceased), former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois; graduated from CSU in 1961 with a Bachelor of Education[39]
- William J. Walker, major general in United States Army, commanding general of District of Columbia National Guard; earned a Master of Science degree from CSU in 1990[40]
- Aaron S. Williams, 18th director of the Peace Corps; graduated CSU[41]
State and local politics
- Howard B. Brookins Sr., Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, 1987–1993[42]
- Isaac "Ike" Carothers, former alderman of the 29th Ward[43]
- Eugenia S. Chapman, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives representing the Arlington Heights area 1965–1983; graduated from CSU[44][45]
- Shirley Coleman, politician who served as the 16th ward alderman 1991–2007[46]
- Annazette Collins, Democratic member of the Illinois General Assembly serving in the House 2001–2011 and the Senate 2011–2013
- Marlow H. Colvin, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives 2001–2012[47]
- Marcus C. Evans Jr., Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives since April 2012[48]
- Karen Freeman-Wilson, attorney and President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, former Indiana Attorney General, former mayor of Gary, Indiana (conferred honorary doctoral degree by CSU in 2025)[30]
- Michelle A. Harris, Chicago alderperson (eighth ward); earned Bachelor's degree in 2006[49]
- Emil Jones III, Democratic member of the Illinois Senate since 2009; attended CSU[50]
- Jeremiah E. Joyce, Democratic member of the Illinois Senate 1979–1993; earned his master's degree at CSU[51]
- Edward Maloney, Democratic member of the Illinois Senate 2003–2013; earned master's degree from CSU[52]
- Sharon G. Markette, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives 1983–1985; received bachelor's degree in criminal justice from CSU[53]
- Lillian Piotrowski, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives 1951–1964 and member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from 1964 until her death in 1974; attended CSU when it was Chicago Teachers College before earning her degree at Loyola University Chicago[54]
- Al Riley, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives since 2007[55]
- Nicholas Smith, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives since February 2018; graduated from CSU with a B.S. in chemistry in 2000[56]
- Donne E. Trotter, Democratic member of the Illinois Senate 1993–2018[57]
- Karen Yarbrough, Democratic Cook County Recorder of Deeds 2010–2024 and former member of the Illinois House of Representatives 2001–2010; earned her bachelor of business administration degree from CSU in 1973[58]
Non-United States politics
- Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria since 2023, received his degree in accounting from CSU in 1979[59]
