Notable Alumni of Central State University

Hastings Banda 1890–1997

First president of Malawi

Also attended: University of Chicago, Wilberforce University, Meharry Medical College

Joyce Beatty 1950–

U.S. Representative from Ohio since 2013

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1972

Also attended: University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, Wright State University-Main Campus

Elizabeth Eckford 1941–

Civil rights activist, one of the Little Rock Nine

Also attended: Knox College

Funmilayo Olayinka 1960–2013

Former deputy governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria

William L. Mallory, Sr. 1931–2013

Ohio legislator who served 28 years

Child: Mark Mallory (University of Cincinnati-Main Campus)

Felicia Moore

Former president of the Atlanta City Council

Also attended: Central Michigan University

Darryl Owens 1937–2022

Democratic member of the Kentucky House

Leontyne Price 1927–

Soprano and Metropolitan Opera star

Also attended: The Juilliard School

Spouse: William Warfield (University of Rochester)

Omarosa Manigault Newman 1974–

Reality TV star and former White House aide

Attended until 1996

Also attended: Howard University

Roberta Alexander 1949–2025

Operatic soprano

Also attended: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Cecil McBee 1935–

American jazz bassist and composer

Joyce Cobb 1945–

Jazz and R&B singer

Also attended: Wright State University-Main Campus

Harvey Pratt 1941–2025

Southern Cheyenne peace chief and forensic artist

Also attended: Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, University of Virginia-Main Campus

Ted Daniel 1943–

Jazz trumpeter and composer

Also attended: Berklee College of Music, CUNY--City College

Charles Freeman Lee 1927–1997

Jazz trumpeter

Also attended: Wilberforce University

Priest Lauderdale 1973–

Former professional basketball player

Erik Williams 1968–

Former NFL offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys

Ken Wilburn 1944–2016

Former professional basketball player

Marieme Lo 1972–

Senegalese basketball player at the 2000 Olympics

Information systems studies

John Roseboro 1933–2002

MLB catcher, best known with the Dodgers

Eddie Milner 1955–2015

Professional baseball player

Hugh Douglas 1971–

Former NFL defensive end for Jets and Eagles

Darrell K. Smith 1961–2017

Canadian Football League wide receiver

Elle Moxley 1985–

Transgender rights activist; Black Lives Matter co-founder