Following is a list of notable Elmhurst University alumni. The university was Elmhurst Academy from 1871 to 1919, Elmhurst Junior College from 1919 to 1924, and Elmhurst College from 1924 to 2020.
Education
Peter M. Blau – (1942) sociologist and professor at the University of Chicago and Columbia University Cathy Davidson – (1970) history of technology scholar William Hirstein – author and philosophy department professor Glenn D. Lid – (1979) National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee and Golden Apple Award Teacher of Distinction H. Richard Niebuhr – (1912) sixth president of Elmhurst University, Elmhurst Proseminary graduate, and 20th-century theologian Joe Seger – (1957) archaeologist, Biblical scholar, and chairman of the Humanities Program at the University of Nebraska Omaha Kathleen Willis – (2000) former Elmhurst University librarian and member of the Illinois House of Representatives
Entertainment
Shirley Booz – (non-degreed) model and dancer
Hannah Pearl Davis – misogynistic social media commentator
Brett Eldredge – country music singer, songwriter and record producer
Terri Hemmert – (1970) WXRT-FM radio personality since 1973
Bill Holman – (Honorary) composer, arranger, conductor, saxophonist, and songwriter John-Paul Kaplan – record producer, composer, and pianist Kris Myers – (1999) musician (drummer) for progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee Guy Nardulli – (1997) actor and producer David Rasche – (1966) theater, film, and television actor
Law
William J. Bauer – (1949) judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago Michael R. Galasso – (1958) former Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of DuPage County and Illinois Appellate Court judge, second district
Literture and journalism
Rane Arroyo – (1976) poet and Chicago Literary Hall of Fame recipient
Bill Hillmann – author, storyteller, and journalist
Anthony Opal – (2010) poet and editor
Jack Stack – (1978) author and founder and CEO of SRC Holdings
Joel Whitburn – (non-degreed) author and music historian
Politics and government
Anthony DeLuca – (1992) member of the Illinois House of Representatives, 80th district Beverly Fawell – (1952) former member of the Illinois House of Representatives and former member of the Illinois Senate Nancy Kaszak – Illinois House of Representatives Jacques Paul Klein – (1961) former Ambassador and retired United States Air Force Major General Barbara Kasekende – head of the Advisory Department at Uganda Development Bank Arthur C. Lueder – Illinois Auditor of Public Accounts and postmaster of Chicago Eileen Lyons – Illinois House of Representatives George E. Sangmeister – (1957) former member of the United States House of Representatives, Illinois fourth district Kathleen Willis – (2000) former Elmhurst University librarian and member of the Illinois House of Representatives
Religion
Paul J. Achtemeier – (1949) theologian
Donald G. Bloesch – (1950) theologian
Walter Brueggemann – (1955) theologian
John Dillenberger – (1940) theologian
William R. Johnson – (1968) first openly gay minister to be ordained in a historic Protestant denomination H. Richard Niebuhr – (1912) 20th-century theologian, president of Elmhurst University, and Elmhurst Proseminary graduate Reinhold Niebuhr – (1910) Elmhurst Proseminary graduate and 20th-century theologian James M. Wall – (honorary) Methodist minister and editor of the Christian Advocate
Science and technology
Emil Wolfgang Menzel Jr. – (1950) primatologist and psychologist
Robert G. Sachs – (1987 Honorary) theoretical physicist
Sports
Steve Finch – (1982) former professional American football player who played wide receiver for one season for the Minnesota Vikings. Chester "Swede" Johnston (non-degreed) former NFL football player who attended Elmhurst College 1929–1930 Mike LaFleur – professional football coach Ricardo Lamas – (2005) All-American wrestler; current mixed martial artist for the UFC's Featherweight Division, formerly with the WEC Matt McNamara – professional soccer player Jeff Quinn – (1984) assistant coach for the Notre Dame football team Joe Rau – (2013) international level Greco-Roman wrestler Audrey Wagner – (1950) All-American Girls Professional Baseball League outfielder Dave Wills – (1989) former Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays radio announcer