Notable Alumni of Western Illinois University

Tim Walberg 1951–

U.S. Representative from Michigan since 2011

Attended until 1970

Also attended: Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College (IL), Taylor University

Paul Vallas 1953–

Education superintendent and politician

Also attended: Moraine Valley Community College

Camilo Osías 1889–1976

Filipino politician and President of the Senate

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York, Teachers College at Columbia University

Gale Schisler 1933–2020

US Representative from Illinois

Also attended: Truman State University

Mary Matalin 1953–

Republican political consultant

Bachelor of Arts

Also attended: Hofstra University

Spouse: James Carville (Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College)

Ahmet Kenan Tanrıkulu 1958–

Turkish politician and former industry minister

Also attended: University of Pennsylvania

Vincent R. Stewart 1958–2023

Marine lieutenant general, former DIA director

Bachelor of Arts · History

Kirk W. Dillard 1955–

Illinois politician and Regional Transportation Authority chairman

Also attended: DePaul University

Kimberly A. Lightford 1968–

Illinois Senate Majority Leader

Also attended: University of Illinois Springfield

Sandy Yu 1958–

Taiwanese politician

Master of Arts · Law enforcement · Class of 1986

Also attended: University of Illinois at Chicago

Margaret W. Wong 1950–

Hong Kong-born immigration lawyer and managing partner

Robert Nardelli 1948–

Former Chrysler chairman and CEO

Also attended: University of Louisville

Michael Boatman 1964–

Actor known for Spin City

Harry Manfredini 1943–

Composer of most Friday the 13th scores

Frank Galati 1943–2023

Director, writer and actor

Also attended: Northwestern University

Larry Kenney 1947–

Voice actor, voiced Lion-O in ThunderCats

Child: Kerri Kenney (New York University)

Christopher Hall 1965–

Founding member and vocalist of Stabbing Westward

Loes Geurts 1986–

Dutch women's football goalkeeper

Kosuke Kimura 1984–

Japanese footballer and coach

Tuğba Palazoğlu 1980–

Turkish former professional basketball player

Zane Tamane 1983–

Latvian women's basketball player

Obi Emegano 1993–

Nigerian professional basketball player

Dot Richardson 1961–

Two-time Olympic gold medal softball player

Also attended: University of Southern California, Adelphi University

Tom Soehn 1966–

American soccer coach and former defender

Rodney Harrison 1972–

Former NFL safety with the Chargers and Patriots

Brandon Gilbeck 1996–

American-Taiwanese professional basketball player

Judith Ford 1949–

Miss America 1969, retired teacher

Also attended: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Louisiana--Lafayette