Central Michigan University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
Central Michigan University (CMU) boasts a rich history of producing accomplished graduates who have left their mark on diverse fields, from entertainment and sports to business, politics, and military service. This article explores some of the university's most notable alumni and their significant contributions.
Arts and Entertainment
CMU has fostered the talents of individuals who have achieved prominence in the world of arts and entertainment.
Jeff Daniels: An Emmy Award-winning actor, Daniels has captivated audiences on stage and screen. His versatile performances include roles in acclaimed productions such as "The Newsroom," "Dumb and Dumber," and "The Squid and the Whale."
Tim Allen: Known professionally as Tim Allen, Timothy Alan Dick is an American actor and comedian, is known for playing Tim "The Toolman" Taylor on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement (1991-1999) for which he won a Golden Globe Award and Mike Baxter on the ABC/Fox sitcom Last Man Standing (2011-2021). He voices Buzz Lightyear for the Toy Story franchise for which he won an Annie Award and played Scott Calvin and Santa Claus in The Santa Clause franchise (1994-present).
Terry Crews: Before his successful acting career, Terry Crews played in the NFL for several teams. He is known for his role in the series "Brooklyn Nine-Nine". Crews is also a successful host and advocate.
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Jennifer Cooke: She is known for playing Elizabeth Maxwell in the sci-fi series "V". She also appeared as Megan in the classic horror film "Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives".
Larry Joe Campbell: An American actor and comedian, Larry Joe Campbell is best known for his role as Andy on the ABC sitcom According to Jim.
Illa J: Also known as John Derek Yancey, Illa J is an American rapper, singer, producer and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan who has released two albums on Delicious Vinyl Records. He is the younger brother of the late hip hop producer, and rapper J Dilla, and a former member of hip hop group Slum Village. He also released a collaborative album as Yancey Boys along with Frank Nitt. Illa J's second solo album ILLA J came out via the Brooklyn based record label, Bastard Jazz.
Sports
CMU's athletic programs have produced numerous athletes and sports figures who have achieved success at the professional level.
Dick Enberg: A legendary sportscaster, Dick Enberg won 13 Sports Emmy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Emmy. He was inducted into the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame and the Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. Over the course of an approximately 60-year career, he provided play-by-play of various sports for several radio and television networks, including NBC (1975-1999), CBS (2000-2014), and ESPN (2004-2011), as well as for individual teams, such as UCLA Bruins basketball, Los Angeles Rams football, and California Angels and San Diego Padres baseball.
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Dan Gilbert: As the majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert has made a significant impact on the world of sports. He is also the chairman and founder of Quicken Loans and the founder of Rock Ventures.
Chris Kaman: Christopher Zane Kaman is a German-American former professional basketball player. Kaman stands 7'0" (2.13 m) and played the center position. He was selected sixth overall in the first round of the 2003 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, after a college basketball career at Central Michigan University.
Dan Majerle: Daniel Lewis Majerle, also known by the nickname "Thunder Dan", is an American former professional basketball player and former coach of the Grand Canyon Antelopes. He played 14 years in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Joe Staley: Joseph Andrew Staley is an American former professional football offensive tackle who played his entire career for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas and was selected by the 49ers in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft.
Nate Huffman: Nathaniel Thomas Huffman was an American professional basketball player, who played most of his career with Maccabi Tel Aviv. He was the 2001 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP, as well as the 2001 FIBA SuproLeague Player of the Year.
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Tom Tresh: Thomas Michael Tresh was an American professional baseball infielder and outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1961-1969) and Detroit Tigers (1969). Tresh was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed. He was the son of the MLB catcher Mike Tresh.
Business and Entrepreneurship
CMU alumni have achieved success in the business world, demonstrating leadership and innovation in various industries.
Dan Gilbert: Beyond his involvement in sports, Gilbert's investments in downtown Detroit real estate and his contributions to the community are credited with revitalizing the city.
Clark Howard: Clark Brian Howard is an American author and radio/podcast host, focused primarily on personal finance, consumer protection, and related topics. He has hosted The Clark Howard Show, which began in 1989 and has lasted over 30 years as of 2021.
Politics and Public Service
CMU has produced numerous individuals who have dedicated their careers to public service and political leadership.
Alveda King: Alveda Celeste King is an American activist, author, and former state representative for the 28th District in the Georgia House of Representatives.
Dale Kildee: Dale Kildee was a U.S. Representative from Michigan from 2013 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the Genesee County Treasurer from 1996 to 2013, before succeeding his uncle, Dale Kildee, in Congress. From 1977 to 2009, Kildee was a municipal elected official. On November 16, 2023, he announced he would not seek re-election in 2024.
Brenda Lawrence: Brenda Lawrence served as a U.S. representative from Michigan's 14th congressional district from 2015 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Lawrence served as mayor of Southfield, Michigan, from 2001 to 2015, and was the party's nominee for Oakland County executive in 2008 and for lieutenant governor in 2010.
Pete Peterson: Douglas Brian "Pete" Peterson is an American politician and diplomat. He served as a United States Air Force pilot during the Vietnam War and spent over six years as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese army after his plane was shot down. He served three terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 1996 and returned to Hanoi when he became the first U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam.
Robert P. Griffin: Robert P. Griffin served as a United States Senator from the state of Michigan. A member of the Republican Party, he served in both chambers of the United States Congress as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1957 to 1966 and a member of the United States Senate from 1966 to 1979 and later served a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court from 1987 to 1995. As a deputy minority leader in the Senate, he called on President Richard Nixon, a fellow Republican, to resign during the Watergate scandal.
Military Service
CMU alumni have a strong tradition of serving in the military, with many achieving high ranks and making significant contributions to national defense.
John W. Raymond: John William Raymond is a retired United States Space Force general who served as the first chief of space operations from 2019 to 2022. other Central Michigan University pages Robert B. Abrams Years 1960-.. (age 65) Occupations military personnel Biography Robert Bruce Abrams is a retired four-star general in the United States Army who last served as the commander of United States Forces Korea.
Robert B. Abrams: Robert Bruce Abrams is a retired four-star general in the United States Army who last served as the commander of United States Forces Korea.
Anthony Zinni: Anthony Charles Zinni is a retired United States Marine Corps general and a former Commander in Chief of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). From 2001 to 2003, he served as a special envoy for the United States to Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Peter Schoomaker: Peter Jan Schoomaker is a retired four-star general of the United States Army who served as the 35th Chief of Staff of the United States Army from June 2003 to April 2007.
Paul E. Funk II: Paul Edward Funk II is a retired four-star general in the United States Army who last served as the commanding officer of the Army Training and Doctrine Command.
Norton A. Schwartz: Norton Allan Schwartz is a retired United States Air Force general who served as the 19th Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 12 August 2008, until his retirement in 2012.
Scott D. Berrier: Scott David Berrier is a lieutenant general in the United States Army who served as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from 2020 to 2024.
Peter V. Neffenger: Peter Vance Neffenger is a United States Coast Guard Admiral and public servant who served as Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration from July 2015 to January 20, 2017.
Other fields
Carter Oosterhouse: Carter Nicholas Oosterhouse is an American television personality and former model, who was born in Traverse City, Michigan. He first gained national fame as a carpenter on the TLC series Trading Spaces and has hosted other home improvement and how-to television shows.
George Steele: William James Myers, better known by his ring name George "The Animal" Steele, was an American professional wrestler, school teacher, author, and actor.
Tom Crean: Thomas Aaron Crean is a college basketball coach. Most recently, he was the head coach for the University of Georgia men's basketball team.
Andrew Dost: Andrew Paul Dost is an American musician and singer; he is a member of the indie bossa nova/jazz band Metal Bubble Trio, in which he is the lead singer. He was formerly a member of the indie rock band Anathallo from 2003 to 2007, as well as the indie rock band fun. from 2008-2015.
David Haas: David Robert Haas is an American author and composer of contemporary Catholic liturgical music.
Maria Molina: Maria Janeth Molina is an American meteorologist.
Zach McKinstry: Zachary McKinstry is an American professional baseball utility player for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.
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