10 Notable alumni of Governors State University
Updated: June 15, 2026 EliteDegrees
Governors State University is ranked #3,200 in the world and #829 in United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 10 notable alumni from Governors State University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Governors State University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Joseph C. Szabo
1957-. (aged 69)
conductor
Joseph C. Szabo is a former government official who was the twelfth Federal Railroad Administrator of the United States. Nominated by President Barack Obama on March 20, 2009, he was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 29, 2009. Safety was the top priority of his administration. He stepped down from the position on January 9, 2015 and Sarah...
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2. Carl Hoecker
police officer
Carl W. Hoecker is the Inspector General of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He has over 30 years experience as a criminal investigator and is also a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner.
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3. Marcus C. Evans, Jr
politician
Marcus C. Evans Jr. is an American politician currently serving as Illinois state representative for the 33rd district. The 33rd district, located in the Chicago metropolitan area, includes parts of South Shore, South Chicago, South Deering, East Side, and Hegewisch in Chicago as well as parts of suburban Calumet City and Lansing. Evans was elected vice president of the National...
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4. Jason Ervin
1974-. (aged 52)
politician
Jason C. Ervin is an American politician who serves on the Chicago City Council. He became the alderman for Chicago's 28th ward, located on the west side of Chicago, in 2010.
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5. Jerry Butler
1939-2025 (aged 86)
singer
songwriter
Jerry Butler Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, producer, musician, and politician. He was the original lead singer of the R&B vocal group the Impressions, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. After leaving the group in 1960, Butler achieved over 55 Billboard Pop and R&B Chart hits as a solo artist including "He...
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6. Muhal Richard Abrams
1930-2017 (aged 87)
jazz musician
university teacher
pianist
composer
cellist
Muhal Richard Abrams was an American educator, administrator, composer, arranger, clarinetist, cellist, and jazz pianist in the free jazz medium. He recorded and toured the United States, Canada and Europe with his orchestra, sextet, quartet, duo, and as a solo pianist.
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7. Debbie Halvorson
1958-. (aged 68)
politician
business executive
Deborah L. Halvorson is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Illinois's 11th congressional district from 2009 until 2011. Previously, she served in the Illinois Senate from 1997 through 2009. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
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8. Sophia King
1955-. (aged 71)
politician
Sophia D. King is an American politician and former member of Chicago City Council, who served as alderman from the 4th ward, which includes portions of the neighborhoods Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, and South Loop. King was appointed to the position by mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2016 as a replacement to the retiring William D. Burns. She won a...
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9. Sheryl Underwood
1963-. (aged 63)
film actor
actor
radio personality
Sheryl Patrice Underwood is an American comedian, actress and television host. She first rose to prominence in the comedy world as the first female finalist in 1989's Miller Lite Comedy Search. Underwood was one of the hosts on the CBS Daytime talk show The Talk from September 2011 to December 2024, becoming the show's longest running co-host. She received a...
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10. Alicia Tate-Nadeau
soldier
Brigadier General Alicia A. Tate-Nadeau is a senior officer in the United States Army National Guard and the first woman to be promoted to brigadier general in the Illinois Army National Guard. She currently serves as the director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
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