Notable Alumni of Western Michigan University

Michael Cohen 1966–

Former personal attorney to Donald Trump

Also attended: American University, Thomas M Cooley Law School

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick 1945–2025

Former US Representative from Michigan

Bachelor of Science · Class of 1972

Also attended: Ferris State University, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Mark Schauer 1961–

Former U.S. representative from Michigan

Master in Public Administration · Class of 1986

Also attended: Albion College, Michigan State University

Dennis Archer 1942–

67th Mayor of Detroit

Also attended: Michigan State University-College of Law

Tom Barrett 1981–

U.S. representative for Michigan, former Army officer

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 2007

Robert P. Burke 1962–

Retired US Navy admiral, former Vice Chief of Naval Operations

Also attended: University of Central Florida

Lucy Lameck 1934–1993

First woman government minister in Tanzania

Mark D. Siljander 1951–

Former US representative from Michigan

Ruby Sahota

Canadian Liberal MP and lawyer

Also attended: Thomas M Cooley Law School

Iqra Khalid 1986–

Canadian Member of Parliament and lawyer

Also attended: Thomas M Cooley Law School

Gardner Ackley 1915–1998

Economist, chaired Council of Economic Advisers under Johnson

Also attended: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Florin Curta 1965–

Romanian-born historian and archaeologist

Attended until 1998

James Serrin 1926–2012

Mathematician and professor at University of Minnesota

Attended until 1947

Also attended: Northwestern University, Indiana University-Bloomington

Tim Allen 1953–

Actor and comedian

Also attended: Central Michigan University

Terry Crews 1968–

Actor, host and former professional football player

Bruce Campbell 1958–

Actor best known for the Evil Dead series

Luther Vandross 1951–2005

R&B and soul singer, songwriter and producer

Richelle Mead 1976–

Fantasy author of Vampire Academy

Also attended: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Curtis Armstrong 1953–

Actor known for Revenge of the Nerds

Also attended: Oakland University

David Wayne 1914–1995

Actor and two-time Tony Award winner

Brooke Elliott 1974–

American actress and singer

Page Kennedy 1976–

Actor and rapper known for Blue Mountain State

Also attended: University of Delaware

Kathleen Rose Perkins 1974–

Actress

Mary Jackson 1910–2005

Character actress known for The Waltons

Also attended: Michigan State University

Stephen Lynch 1971–

American comedian, musician and actor

Nicole Forester 1972–

Actress known for Boss and Guiding Light

Also attended: American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New York

Sean Chiplock 1990–

Voice actor, voice of Diluc in Genshin Impact

Marin Mazzie 1960–2018

Musical theatre actress, three-time Tony nominee

Suzy Lake 1947–

Toronto-based photographer and performance artist

Also attended: Wayne State University

Matt Giraud 1985–

Singer-songwriter, fifth place on American Idol season eight

Josh Gracin 1980–

Country singer, fourth place on American Idol season two

Frankie Ballard 1982–

Country music singer-songwriter and guitarist

Jim Benton 1960–

Illustrator and children's writer, creator of It's Happy Bunny

Judi Brown 1961–

1984 Olympic silver medalist in 400m hurdles

Also attended: Michigan State University

Epico Colón 1982–

Puerto Rican professional wrestler

William Porter 1926–2000

1948 Olympic 110m hurdles gold medalist

Also attended: Northwestern University

Ira Murchison 1933–1994

1956 Olympic 4×100 m relay gold medalist

Colt Cabana 1980–

Professional wrestler, comedian and podcaster

Shayne Whittington 1991–

Former basketball player, Western Michigan assistant coach

Jamal Mayers 1974–

Former NHL winger, played 15 seasons

Joe Corvo 1977–

Former NHL ice hockey player

Frederik Tiffels 1995–

German professional ice hockey player

Oliwer Kaski 1995–

Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman

Jordan Oesterle 1992–

Retired NHL defenseman

Paul Szczechura 1985–

Canadian professional ice hockey forward

Patrick Dwyer 1983–

Former NHL right winger with the Carolina Hurricanes

Greg Jennings 1983–

Former NFL wide receiver, mainly with Green Bay Packers

Danny DeKeyser 1990–

Former NHL defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings

Matt Tennyson 1990–

Former NHL defenseman

Glenn Healy 1962–

Former NHL goaltender and sports commentator

David Gove 1978–2017

Ice hockey player and coach

Kevin Connauton 1990–

Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman

Burger Lambrechts 1973–

South African shot putter

Mike Eastwood 1967–

Former Canadian professional ice hockey player

Mattias Samuelsson 2000–

Buffalo Sabres defenseman in the NHL

Keith Jones 1968–

Canadian former hockey player and TV analyst

Matt Cappotelli 1979–2018

Professional wrestler who retired due to a brain tumor

Evan Stone 1964–

Adult film actor and director

Carl Eugene Watts 1953–2007

Serial killer dubbed the Sunday Morning Slasher

Tererai Trent 1963–

Zimbabwean-American educator and humanitarian

Also attended: University of California-Berkeley, Oklahoma State University-Main Campus