Notable Alumni of Chicago State University

Bola Tinubu 1952–

16th President of Nigeria

Bachelor's degree · Accounting

Danny K. Davis 1941–

U.S. representative for Illinois's 7th district

Master of Science · Class of 1968

Also attended: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Union Institute and University

Mamie Till 1921–2003

Civil rights activist and mother of Emmett Till

Also attended: Loyola University Chicago

Karen Yarbrough 1950–2024

Cook County Clerk

Also attended: Northeastern Illinois University

Al Riley 1953–

Former Illinois state representative

Also attended: University of Illinois at Chicago

Blanche M. Manning 1934–2020

United States federal district judge

Bachelor of Education

Also attended: The John Marshall Law School, Roosevelt University, University of Virginia-Main Campus

Jeremiah E. Joyce 1943–

Lawyer and politician

Also attended: DePaul University, Northern Illinois University

Monique D. Davis 1936–

Illinois state representative and former educator

Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

Illinois state representative

Also attended: Governors State University

Jack Dongarra 1950–

Computer scientist; emeritus professor at University of Tennessee

Also attended: Illinois Institute of Technology, University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Zonia Baber 1862–1956

Geographer and geologist, geography teaching pioneer

Also attended: University of Chicago

Elliot W. Eisner 1933–2014

Professor of Art and Education at Stanford

Marie J. Mergler 1851–1901

German-American physician and surgeon

Frances Ekstam 1914–2005

Founder of IU School of Medicine physical therapy program

Bachelor of Physical Education · Class of 1933

Also attended: Illinois State University, Harvard University

Bobby E. Wright 1934–1982

Clinical psychologist, scholar and educator

Also attended: University of Chicago

Mary Alice 1936–2022

Television, film and stage actress

Margaret Taylor-Burroughs 1915–2010

Artist, poet and co-founder of DuSable Museum

Michael Colyar 1957–

American actor and comedian

Deji Akindele 1983–

Nigerian former professional basketball player

David Holston 1986–

Professional basketball player

Tony Weeden 1982–

Professional basketball player

Trayvon Palmer 1994–

Former professional basketball player

Aaron Williams 1991–

Basketball player for MBK SPU Nitra

Margaret Haley 1861–1939

Teacher and labor leader of Chicago Teachers Federation

Also attended: Illinois State University