21 Notable alumni of Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
Updated: June 14, 2026 EliteDegrees
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville is ranked #1,340 in the world and #329 in United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 21 notable alumni from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Gary W. Kronk
1956-. (aged 70)
journalist
astronomer
Gary W. Kronk is an American amateur astronomer and writer.
2. 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. He also has a Master's of Strategic...
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3. Antonio J. Ramos
1946-. (aged 80)
military officer
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.
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4. David Luechtefeld
1940-. (aged 86)
politician
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.
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5. Mark Waller
1969-. (aged 57)
video artist
lawyer
military officer
politician
Mark Waller is a former Colorado county commissioner as well as a former legislator in the U.S. state of Colorado and county level assistant district attorney. Elected to the Colorado House of Representatives as a Republican in 2008, Waller had represented House District 15, which encompasses portions of northeastern Colorado Springs, Colorado. Waller also served in the US Air Force...
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6. Paige St. John
journalist
Paige St. John is an American journalist with the Los Angeles Times. Before joining the Times, St. John was at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where she earned the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting. The Pulitzer was the Herald Tribune's first, "for her examination of weaknesses in the murky property-insurance system vital to Florida homeowners, providing handy data to assess insurer...
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7. Katie Stuart
politician
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...
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8. Justin Bilyeu
1994-. (aged 32)
association football player
Justin Bilyeu is an American former soccer player who played as a defender.
9. David C. Williams
1947-. (aged 79)
civil servant
U.S. Secret Service agent
David C. Williams was the vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service from September 13, 2018, to April 30, 2020, and served as Inspector General (IG) for the U.S. Postal Service, in the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, from 2003 to 2016.
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10. Daniel A. Vallero
1953-. (aged 73)
engineer
civil engineer
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. He also earned a masters in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Kansas and a PhD...
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11. Steve Trittschuh
1965-. (aged 61)
futsal player
association football coach
association football 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...
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12. Dennis Werth
1952-. (aged 74)
baseball player
Dennis Dean Werth is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, first baseman, and outfielder.
13. Andy Manar
1976-. (aged 50)
politician
Andrew "Andy" Manar is a former Democratic member of the Illinois Senate. He represented the 48th district, including part or all of Christian, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Montgomery, and Sangamon counties. Andy Manar is known for being the chief advocate for SB 1947, which made dramatic reforms to Illinois’ education funding formula. Prior to his service in the Illinois Senate, he...
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14. Matt Polster
1993-. (aged 33)
association football player
Matthew Ryan Polster is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution.
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15. Dewayne Staats
1952-. (aged 74)
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. He is currently teamed with color commentator Brian Anderson.
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16. Lewis E. Reed
1962-. (aged 64)
politician
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. He was federally indicted on bribery charges in May 2022 and resigned his at large board position in June.
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17. Kathleen Madigan
1965-. (aged 61)
comedian
screenwriter
Kathleen Madigan is an American stand-up comedian and TV personality. In addition to her stand-up comedy performances, she is a regular guest on a variety of U.S. television programs.
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18. John Shimkus
1958-. (aged 68)
politician
John Mondy Shimkus is an American politician who served as a U.S. representative from 1997 to 2021, representing the 20th, 19th and 15th congressional districts of Illinois.
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19. William Enyart
1949-. (aged 77)
lawyer
businessperson
military officer
politician
William Lee Enyart Jr. is an American general and politician who served as the 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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20. Walter Kross
1942-. (aged 84)
military officer
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.
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21. Shelby Steele
1946-. (aged 80)
sociologist
writer
journalist
Shelby Steele is an American author, columnist, documentary film maker, 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.
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