List of Indiana State University people

This is a list of notable current and former faculty members, alumni, and non-graduating attendees of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Presidents

• William Albert Jones (1869–1879)
• George Pliny Brown (1879–1885)
• William Wood Parsons (1885–1921), LL.D., DePauw University
• Linnaeus Neal Hines (1921–1933), M.A., Cornell University
• Ralph Noble Tirey (1934–1953), M.A., Indiana University
• Dr. Raleigh Warren Holmstedt (1953–1965), Ph.D., Columbia Teachers College, Columbia University
• Dr. Alan Carson Rankin (1965–1975), D.S.Sc., Syracuse University
• Dr. Richard George Landini (1975–1992), Ph.D., University of Florida
• Dr. John Moore (1992–2000), Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
• Dr. Lloyd W. Benjamin III (2000–2008) Ph.D., University of North Carolina
• Dr. Daniel J. Bradley (2008–2018) Ph.D., Michigan State University
• Dr. Deborah J. Curtis (2018–2024) Ph.D., Indiana State University
• Dr. Michael. Godard (2024–present) Ph.D., Ball State University

Faculty

• William Ashbrook
• James Chesebro
• Robert Clouse
• Jeffrey S. Harper
• Kenneth T. Henson
• Leroy Lamis, sculptor
• Charles Nicol
• Edward A. Pease, member, House of Representatives, Indiana 7th District, 1997–2001
• Michael Shelden, biographer
• Todd Whitaker

Notable alumni

Business

• Gerry Dick, host of Inside INdiana Business
• Tony George, founder and team owner, Indy Racing League
• Jim Lewis, president, Disney Vacation Club
• Will Weng, journalist, New York Times

Medicine

• H.R. Cox, bacteriologist, discovered Rocky Mountain spotted fever treatment and several typhus vaccines
• Jill Bolte Taylor, "The Singing Scientist", neuroanatomist, one of 2008 Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People"
• J. Buzz Von Ornsteiner, forensic psychologist, television personality

Government

Members of Congress

• Birch Bayh, US senator, Indiana (1963–1981); authored two Constitutional amendments
• John S. Benham, US representative, Indiana 4th District (1919–1923)
• Thurman C. Crook, US representative, Indiana 3rd District (1949–1951)
• Brad Ellsworth, US representative, Indiana 8th District (2007–2011)
• Clarence C. Gilhams, US representative, Indiana 12th District (1906–1909)
• Brian D. Kerns, US representative, Indiana 7th District (2001–2003)
• William Larrabee, US representative for Indiana 6th and 11th Districts (1931–1943)
• D. Bailey Merrill, US representative, Indiana 8th District (1953–1955)
• John T. Myers, US representative, Indiana 7th District (1967–1997)
• Edward A. Pease, US representative, Indiana 7th District (1997–2001)
• Everett Sanders, US representative, Indiana 5th District (1917–1925); secretary to President Calvin Coolidge (1925–1929); chairman, Republican National Committee (1932–1934)
• Albert Henry Vestal, US representative, Indiana 8th District (1917–1932); Republican whip (1923–1931)
• Fred Wampler, US representative, Indiana 6th District (1959–1961)

State political leaders

• Greg Goode, Indiana state senator (2023–present)
• John R. Gregg, Indiana House of Representatives, 1986–2002; speaker of the House 1996–2002, majority leader 1990–1994
• Bob Heaton, Indiana House of Representatives, 2010–present
• Phillip Hinkle, Indiana House of Representatives, 2000–2012
• Cary D. Landis, Florida attorney general (1931–1938)
• Carolene Mays, member of Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission; former state representative, Indiana House, 2002–2008
• Richard M. Milburn, Indiana attorney general (January 1915–November 1915)
• Alan Morrison, director of DNR, former member of the Indiana House of Representatives
• Mike Tryon, Illinois House of Representatives, 2005–2017

Diplomats

• George Washington Buckner, ambassador to Liberia (1913–1915)
• Cynthia Shepard Perry (b. 1928), ambassador to Sierra Leone (1986–1989), Burundi (1989–1993)

Judges

• Gene E. Brooks, judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, 1979–1994; chief judge 1987–1994
• Noma Gurich, justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, State of Oklahoma
• Allen Sharp, senior judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, 1973–2009; chief judge 1981–1996

Other

• Marvella Bayh, late wife of long-time Indiana senator Birch Bayh; mother of former Indiana senator Birch Evans Bayh III; instrumental in establishing Hoosier Girls State at Indiana State University
• Willa Brown, aerospace pioneer; first African-American woman commercial pilot in United States; first African-American female officer in Civil Air Patrol
• P. Pete Chalos, mayor of Terre Haute, Indiana 1980–1996
• Dr. Kamlesh "Kam" Lulla, NASA, chief scientist for earth observation, Human Exploration Science Office, Johnson Space Center
• Kenneth L. Peek, Jr., lieutenant general, United States Air Force, former 8 AF commander
• Susan Porter Rose, chief of staff to the First Lady of the United States (1989–1993)
• Chuck Smith, mayor, Woodmere, Ohio, 2009–present
• Quentin P. Smith, 1st lieutenant, Tuskegee Airmen, educator, civic leader

Education

Current

• Ronald L. Vaughn, president, University of Tampa (1995–present)

Former

Presidents and chancellors

• Isaac K. Beckes, president, Vincennes University (1950–1980)
• Elmer Burritt Bryan, president of Colgate University (1909–1921), Ohio University (1921–1934), Franklin College
• Isaac M. Burgan, president, Paul Quinn College (1883–1891, 1911–1914)
• Lotus Coffman, president of the University of Minnesota (1920–1938)
• Dwight Conquergood, enthnographer, Northwestern University (1978–2004)
• Myron Coulter, chancellor, Western Carolina University (1984–1994)
• Lewis C. Dowdy, sixth president and first chancellor of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (1964–1980)
• John R. Gregg, 20th president, Vincennes University (2003–2004)
• Martin David Jenkins, president, Morgan State University (1948–1970)
• John Edward McGilvrey, first president, Kent State University (1911–1926)
• Caleb Mills, second Indiana superintendent of Public Instruction (1854–1857)
• Edison E. Oberholtzer, founder and president, University of Houston (1927–1950)
• Lou Anna K. Simon, president, Michigan State University (2003–2018)

Deans and administrators

• Birch Bayh, professor, coach, athletic director, Indiana State University, director of physical education, 30+ years in the Terre Haute and Washington D.C. school systems
• Barton Evermann, author, educator
• Robert Jerry, dean, University of Florida, Levin College of Law (2003–present)
• William Harrison Mace, educator, author, professor of history
• Johnny Matson, professor; psychologist at Louisiana State University
• Andrew C. Porter, president, AERA, professor, Vanderbilt University
• Fred Albert Shannon, professor and historian, won the 1929 Pulitzer Prize (History)

Athletics

• Nevin Ashley, former Major League Baseball player for the Milwaukee Brewers
• Richard Atha, former professional basketball player for the New York Knicks and Fort Wayne Pistons
• Robbie Avila, one-time Sycamores basketball player
• Clint Barmes, former Major League Baseball player for the Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Diego Padres
• Tim Barrett, former Major League Baseball player for the Montreal Expos
• Bruce Baumgartner, wrestler, Olympic gold medalist, James E. Sullivan Award
• Jeff Belskus, president, Indy Eleven Soccer franchise
• Junius “Rainey” Bibbs, professional baseball player
• Larry Bird, professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics and administrator
• Jerry Blemker, junior college baseball coach, Vincennes University 1980–2006; leader in wins, NJCAA; 1,188 wins
• Cheryl Bridges, women's marathon world record holder, Dec 1971-Dec 1973
• Jim Brumfield, former professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Billy Clapper, head coach, men's basketball Penn State Altoona
• Roger Counsil, NCAA champion gymnastic coach; former head USA Gymnastics
• Wayne Davis, former professional football player for the San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Redskins
• Brian Dorsett, former Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Indians, California Angels, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Cubs
• David Doster, former Major League Baseball player
• Steve Englehart, head coach, Presbyterian Blue Hose
• Stewart “Red” Faught, head coach, football, Franklin College
• Mike Gardiner, former Major League Baseball player
• Tom Gilles, former Major League Baseball player
• Vencie Glenn, professional football player
• Alex Graman, former Major League Baseball player
• Rick Grapenthin, former Major League Baseball player
• Robert Griswold, Paralympic swimmer
• Terry Hall (1944–1997), women's basketball coach at Eastern Kentucky University, University of Louisville, University of Kentucky and Wright State University
• Mitch Hannahs, head coach, Indiana State Sycamores
• Bill Hayes, former Major League Baseball player & coach
• John Hazen, professional basketball player
• Tunch Ilkin, professional football player
• Blaise Ilsley, former Major League Baseball player
• Jeff James, Major League Baseball player
• Tommy John, retired Major League Baseball player
• Harold Johnson, professional basketball player
• Wallace Johnson, former Major League Baseball player
• Doug Kay, professional football coach
• Beverly Kearney, head coach, University of Texas women's track and field team
• Duane Klueh, professional basketball player, former head coach of men's basketball, tennis at Indiana State University
• Danny Lazar, former Major League Baseball player
• Bryan Leturgez, Olympic bobsledder; bronze medalist - 1993 World Championships
• Sean Manaea, Major League Baseball player
• Pancho Martin, professional football player
• Thad Matta, head coach, men's basketball; Ohio State University
• Carl Nicks, professional basketball player
• Jake Odum, professional basketball player, European Leagues (2014–2019); collegiate basketball coach (2019-pres)
• Brian Omogrosso, former Major League Baseball player
• Jake Petricka, Major League Baseball player
• La Ferne Price, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player; ISU alumni and coach, women's softball and swimming squads
• Colin Rea, Major League Baseball player
• Jerry Reynolds, professional basketball coach, general manager
• Bob Royer, professional basketball player
• Micah Shrewsberry, head coach, Penn State Nittany Lions
• Chuck Smith, former Major League Baseball player
• Steve Smith, silver medalist, high jump, 1995 Pan Am Games
• Zane Smith, former Major League Baseball player
• Dan Sparks, professional basketball player; NJCAA champion coach
• Mitch Stetter, Kansas City Royals, Major League Baseball coach
• Ryan Strausborger, former Major League Baseball player
• Ryan Tatusko, professional baseball player
• Joe Thatcher, former Major League Baseball player
• Kurt Thomas, Olympic participant, gymnastics; James E. Sullivan Award
• Robert Tonyan, National Football League player (Green Bay Packers)
• Bobby Turner, Atlanta Falcons, assistant coach (running backs)
• Jayson Wells (born 1976), basketball player
• Paul "Billy" Williams, athletic director, Indiana State Muncee Hoosieroons (1921–1958)
• John Wooden, college basketball player and Hall of Fame college coach
• Andy Young, Major League Baseball player

Arts, entertainment and media

• Michael Evans Behling, model and actor
• Troy Brownfield, comic book writer and author
• Bubba the Love Sponge (born Todd Alan Clem), radio talk show host
• David Darling, Grammy Award-winning cellist, composer
• Gerry Dick, TV journalist, news anchor, founder Grow Indiana Media
• EST Gee, rapper
• Margaret Gisolo, founder, Arizona Arts Alliance
• Belford Hendricks, composer, pianist, arranger, conductor and record producer
• Jamal Khashoggi, B.S. business administration 1983; Saudi dissident, author, activist, editor, Washington Post columnist
• Margaret Hill McCarter, 1884 A.B., schoolteacher, writer, and first woman to address a Republican National Convention
• Burl Ives, singer, actor, entertainer
• Ami McKay, writer
• Alvy Moore, movie and television personality
• Bill Moring, jazz bassist
• Sister Edith Pfau, S.P., painter, sculptor and art educator
• Wanda Ramey, pioneer female news anchor
• Rudy Render, music arranger/director; musician; actor; educator
• Jared Yates Sexton, author and political commentator
• Tom Trimble, 1974 Emmy Award-winning art director
• Stuart Vaughn, Obie Award-winning director

References