List Rules People on this list must have gone to Western Illinois University and be of some renown.
List of famous alumni from Western Illinois University, with photos when available. Prominent graduates from Western Illinois University include celebrities, politicians, business people, athletes and more. This list of distinguished Western Illinois University alumni is loosely ordered by relevance, so the most recognizable celebrities who attended Western Illinois University are at the top of the list. This directory is not just composed of graduates of this school, as some of the famous people on this list didn't necessarily earn a degree from Western Illinois University.
Items include everything from Rodney Harrison to John Mahoney.
This list answers the questions “Which famous people went to Western Illinois University?” and “Which celebrities are Western Illinois University alumni?”
1
Mary MatalinEditor, Commentator, Television producer
Mary Joe Matalin (born August 19, 1953) is an American political consultant well known for her work with the Republican Party. She has served under President Ronald Reagan, was campaign director ...more
Charles John Mahoney (June 20, 1940 – February 4, 2018) was an English-American actor of stage, film, and television. Born in Blackpool, UK, and brought up in Manchester, Mahoney emigrated to ...more
Robert Louis Nardelli (born May 17, 1948) is an American businessman. He was the chairman and chief executive officer of Chrysler. He had earlier served in a similar capacity at The Home Depot ...more
A Chicago native, Lyra's move to Milwaukee to join WISN 12 News Team as weekend morning meteorologist brings her closer to home. She also contributes to expanded weather coverage weekdays on ...more
Michael T. Scifres (born October 8, 1980) is a former American football punter. He played the majority of his career with the San Diego Chargers, and is included on the Chargers 50th Anniversary ...more
Rodney Scott Harrison (born December 15, 1971) is an American former professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). Harrison played strong safety for the San Diego Chargers ...more
Bryan Keith Cox (born February 17, 1968) is an American football coach and former player. His most recent position was as the defensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons of the National ...more
Aaron Stecker (born November 13, 1975) is a former American football running back. He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played college football at Western ...more
Kenneth Lee "Ken" Dixon (April 3, 1915 - June 29, 1986), was a prominent journalist who reported, edited, and penned columns for seven newspapers, including two in Louisiana -- Lake ...more
David Walter Bowens (born July 3, 1977) is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth ...more
11
William JamesAmerican football player
William James (born William James Peterson, Jr.; June 15, 1979) is a former American football cornerback. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He ...more
FOX 2 Meteorologist ' ' ' Angela Hutti ' ' ' joined FOX 2 in October 2006 as a Weather Producer, And She also the Meteorologist on Saturday & Sunday Mornings, She excited to come home and ...more
Dorothy Gay Richardson (born September 22, 1961 in Orlando, Florida) is an American physician and former two-time medal-winning Olympian, right-handed softball player at shortstop. Richardson ...more
Richard T. "Rich" Seubert (; born March 30, 1979) is a former American football guard who played his entire career with the New York Giants of the National Football League.
15
Tom SoehnCoach
Tom Soehn (born April 15, 1966) is an American soccer coach who is the head coach of USL Championship club Birmingham Legion. A former player, his career as a defender spanned seven clubs across ...more
16
Edgerton HartwellAmerican football player
Edgerton "Ed" Hartwell II (born May 27, 1978) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Western Illinois and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the ...more
Michael Robert Wagner (born June 22, 1949) is a former professional football player, a safety for 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He won four Super Bowls ...more
Frank Mitchell Winters (born January 23, 1964) is a former American football center in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Green ...more
19
Frisman JacksonAmerican football player
Frisman Jackson (born June 12, 1979) is a former American football wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. He is the current wide receivers coach at Baylor.
Booker Tyrone Edgerson (born July 5, 1939) is a former American football player. This graduate of Western Illinois University was a cornerstone of the American Football League Buffalo Bills' ...more
21
Kimberly A. LightfordPolitician
Kimberly Lightford (born May 10, 1968) is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 4th district since 1998. She is Senate Majority Leader and also serves on Labor, Education, ...more
22
Russ MichnaAmerican football player
Russell Walter Michna (born February 3, 1981) is a former arena football quarterback. A two-time league champion of the United Football League (UFL), he is the only player that has been signed ...more
Kirk W. Dillard (born June 1, 1955) is a former Republican member of the Illinois State Senate, representing the 24th District from 1994 until his resignation in August 2014. He is also the ...more
Larry Garron is an American former professional football player. A fullback, he played college football at Western Illinois University, and played professionally in the American Football League ...more
25
Leroy JacksonAmerican football player
Leroy Jackson (born December 8, 1939 in Chicago Heights, Illinois) is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. He played college ...more
