Notable Alumni of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), a public university established in 1957, has a rich history of producing accomplished graduates across various fields. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, within the Metro East of Greater St. Louis, SIUE has grown into a significant institution within the Southern Illinois University system. With eight colleges offering undergraduate and graduate programs, SIUE boasts a diverse alumni network of over 91,000 living individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective professions and communities. This article highlights some of the most notable alumni of SIUE, showcasing their achievements and impact.
Overview of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
SIUE was founded in 1957 as an extension of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, addressing the growing need for public higher education in the Metro-East area following World War II economic expansion. The university initially operated from temporary facilities in Alton and East St. Louis before establishing its permanent campus in Edwardsville in 1960. The campus, designed by Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum, features a core campus with academic buildings surrounding the Stratton Quadrangle. SIUE offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including athletics, honor societies, and student organizations.
Arts and Entertainment
Kathleen Madigan: Stand-Up Comedian and TV Personality
Kathleen Madigan is a prominent American stand-up comedian and TV personality. After earning a bachelor’s in mass communications from SIUE, Madigan began her comedy career at the St. Louis Funny Bone Comedy Club’s open mic night. She quickly gained recognition and began performing at Funny Bone clubs across the country. Madigan has become one of the most respected comedians in the industry, known for her sharp wit and relatable humor. She continues to tour extensively, performing over 250 nights a year, and has made numerous appearances on late-night talk shows and at international comedy festivals. The Chicago Tribune has lauded her for "perfecting the art of crafting and delivering a perfect joke."
Gary W. Kronk: Amateur Astronomer and Writer
Gary W. Kronk is an American amateur astronomer and writer. He is known for his extensive research and publications on comets and other celestial events. Kronk's contributions have made astronomy more accessible to enthusiasts and have advanced the understanding of cometary science.
Literature and Journalism
Shelby Steele: Author, Columnist, and Documentary Filmmaker
Shelby Steele is an American author, columnist, documentary filmmaker, and a Robert J. and Marion E. Oster Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution. He specializes in the study of race relations, multiculturalism, and affirmative action. Steele's work has contributed significantly to the national dialogue on these complex issues.
Read also: SIUE Alumni News
Paige St. John: Investigative Journalist
Paige St. John is an American journalist with the Los Angeles Times. Before joining the Times, St. John worked at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where she earned the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting. Her work has been recognized for its depth, accuracy, and impact.
Terry Ganey: Award-Winning Journalist and Bestselling Author
Terry Ganey is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author. During his 28-year career with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, he received numerous regional reporting awards and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in investigative reporting for his disclosures of Missouri's Second Injury Fund scandal. Ganey was a member of the first class of SIUE graduates to earn a bachelor’s in mass communications.
Túbọ̀sún: Linguist
Túbọ̀sún is a Nigerian linguist, who became the first African to win the Premio Ostana Award for Scriptures.
Chris Hawley: Journalist
Chris Hawley is a journalist for the Belleville News-Democrat. He won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting
Politics and Government
William Enyart: Politician, Lawyer, and Military Officer
William Lee Enyart Jr. graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from SIUE in 1974. He is a politician, lawyer, businessperson, and military officer who served as a U.S. Representative for Illinois's 12th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, Enyart was elected on November 6, 2012, and assumed office on January 3, 2013. Enyart is a former attorney and Adjutant General of Illinois.
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Andy Manar: Former Illinois State Senator
Andy Manar is a former Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 48th district. Prior to his service in the Illinois Senate, he was chairman of the Macoupin County Board from 2003 to 2012.
Katie Stuart: Illinois State Representative
Katie Kobak Stuart is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 112th district. The 112th district, located in the Metro East, includes all or parts of Bethalto, Caseyville, Collinsville, Edwardsville, Fairmont City, Fairview Heights, Glen Carbon, Granite City, Madison, Maryville, O'Fallon, Pontoon Beach, Roxana, Shiloh, Swansea, and Wood River. Stuart, an Edwardsville resident, taught math at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville prior to taking office in the Illinois House of Representatives.
David Luechtefeld: Former Illinois State Senator
David Luechtefeld is a former Republican member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 58th district from September 1995 until January 2017. During his tenure, he served as the Deputy Minority Leader.
Lewis E. Reed: Former President of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen
Lewis E. Reed is a former American politician from St. Louis, Missouri. His last position was president of its Board of Aldermen which he held for a record duration of 15 years.
Christopher Belt: Illinois State Senator
State Senator Christopher Belt, a lifelong Metro East resident, represents Illinois’ 57th Senate District, which encompasses communities in St. Clair and Madison counties. Prior to serving in the Illinois Senate, Belt spent 16 years as a law enforcement officer with the St. Clair County Probation and Detention Center and two years as the regional deputy administrator of Aftercare for the central and southern regions of Illinois.
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Raymond Waller: Politician
Raymond Waller is a politician who served as assistant district attorney. He was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives as a Republican in 2008.
Military Service
Walter Kross: Retired United States Air Force General
General Walter Kross is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command from 1996 to 1998.
Antonio J. Ramos: Retired United States Air Force Brigadier General
Brigadier General Antonio J. Ramos was an officer of the United States Air Force. He was the first Hispanic to serve as commander, Air Force Security Assistance Center, Air Force Materiel Command, and dual-hatted as Assistant to the Commander for International Affairs, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command.
Randal E. Thomas: Military Personnel
Randal E. Thomas is an American major general who was a member of the Army Special Forces in Vietnam from 1966 to 1969 and a member of the Illinois National Guard. Thomas graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1973 with a BS in English, and a MSed in 1980 in Instructional Technology.
Athletics
Matt Polster: Professional Soccer Player
Matthew Ryan Polster is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution.
Steve Trittschuh: Soccer Coach and Former Player
Stephen "Steve" Trittschuh is an American soccer coach and former player who most recently served as head coach of USL Championship side Saint Louis FC. As a player, he played as a defender in the Major Indoor Soccer League, American Professional Soccer League and Major League Soccer. He also earned thirty-eight caps with the United States men's national soccer team including one game at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
Justin Bilyeu: Former Soccer Player
Justin Bilyeu is an American former soccer player.
Dewayne Staats: Sports Commentator
Dewayne Staats is an American sports broadcaster who has been the television play-by-play commentator for the Tampa Bay Rays since their inception in 1998.
Business and Healthcare
Damon Harbison: Healthcare Executive
Damon Harbison has an expansive business background with experience in for-profit and nonprofit healthcare. His clinical background includes radiologic sciences and the oncology field. Harbison joined Saint Louis University Hospital in 2000 and transitioned to SSM Health in 2010, where he has had the opportunity to serve in several leadership positions, including his current role as president of SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Ill. He also leads Washington County Hospital in Nashville, Ill., and Clay County Hospital in Flora, Ill.
Bruce Rotter: Dean of the SIU School of Dental Medicine
Bruce Rotter, DMD, retired as dean of the SIU School of Dental Medicine (SDM) in 2021 after nearly 10 years at the helm. He joined the SDM in 1993 as an assistant professor and is the only alumnus to hold the position of dean.
Frank Grasso and Kyle Griffith: Healthcare Innovators
Frank Grasso and Kyle Griffith are making their mark on the healthcare industry, achieving success in their dual roles as certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) and co-owners of G&G Anesthesia. Griffith launched the company in 2009, and Grasso became a joint owner in 2014. to offer 24/7 on-site anesthesia management solutions customized to each facility’s needs.
Diana Isaacs: Endocrinology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Diana Isaacs, PharmD, is an endocrinology clinical pharmacy specialist and co-director of the Center for Endocrine Disorders in Pregnancy at the Cleveland Clinic. Isaacs holds board certifications in pharmacotherapy, ambulatory care and advanced diabetes management.
Other Notable Alumni
Darva Conger: Television Personality
Darva Conger is a former emergency department nurse who in 2000 was selected as the winner of the reality television show Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?
Daniel A. Vallero: Environmental Author and Scientist
Daniel A. Vallero is an American environmental author and scientist. He was born in East St. Louis, Illinois and grew up in Collinsville, Illinois. He received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in city and regional planning from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
David C.: Secret Service Agent
David C. worked in the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, from 2003 to 2016.
