Notable Alumni of College of DuPage: Shaping Diverse Fields

College of DuPage (COD), established in 1967 following the Illinois General Assembly's adoption of the Public Community College Act of 1965, has a rich history of fostering talent across various disciplines. This article aims to highlight some of the notable alumni who have made significant contributions to their respective fields, reflecting the college's commitment to providing quality education and diverse opportunities.

The Foundation of College of DuPage

The college's establishment came after DuPage high school district voters approved a referendum. The college opened on September 25, 1967, under the leadership of President Rodney K. Berg and Board of Trustees Chairman George L. Seaton. Initially, classes were held in office trailers and leased suburban sites throughout Community College District 502. In 1968, the Glen Ellyn campus location was acquired, and by 1969, three interim buildings were constructed. The Berg Instructional Center (BIC), the college's first permanent building, opened in 1973.

Over the years, College of DuPage has expanded its facilities and programs to meet the evolving needs of its students and the community. WDCB, a public radio station owned by the college, was founded in 1977. Harold D. McAninch was appointed as the college's second president in 1979. In 1982, the college began publishing the Prairie Light Review, a literary magazine. Michael T. Murphy became the college's third president in 1994. A $183-million bond referendum in 2002 facilitated significant renovations and the construction of new facilities, including the Homeland Security Education Center, the Student Services Center, and the Culinary & Hospitality Center.

Robert L. Breuder assumed the presidency in 2009, overseeing the opening of the Health and Science Center and Technical Education Center. These developments marked a period of growth and modernization for the college.

Notable Alumni

Arts and Entertainment

John Belushi

An indelible figure in the world of comedy, John Belushi was renowned for his incredible talent and dynamic personality. Born in 1949 in Chicago, Illinois, Belushi grew up in a loving Albanian-American family. His early life was steeped in arts and drama, and he developed a love for performing while attending Wheaton Central High School. Belushi's path to stardom began with his involvement in National Lampoon's Lemmings, a stage show that parodied the Woodstock Festival. His performance caught the attention of Lorne Michaels, who subsequently invited him to join the inaugural cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 1975. Here, Belushi crafted unforgettable characters and sketches, setting the bar high for future comedians. While Belushi's television career was soaring, his transition into film was equally successful. He starred in iconic movies like Animal House and The Blues Brothers, showcasing his versatility as both a comic and dramatic actor. Despite his professional success, Belushi struggled with personal demons. His untimely death in 1982 due to drug overdose sent shockwaves through the industry. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of comedians and performers, proving that his unique blend of humor, energy, and emotion is truly timeless.

Jim Belushi

Jim Belushi, a man of many talents, is renowned for his diverse contributions to the world of entertainment. Born on June 15, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, Belushi's journey into stardom began with his breakthrough role in the American sitcom Saturday Night Live. Belushi's acting prowess is not confined to comedy alone. He has demonstrated his versatility by delivering memorable performances in a variety of genres, including drama, action, and romance. Some of his notable works include roles in films such as About Last Night, Red Heat, and K-9, where he exhibited his ability to shift seamlessly between different characters. Besides acting, he is also a talented musician and a founding member of the Blues Brothers, a band that pays homage to classic blues and soul music. Alongside his late brother, John Belushi, he performed in numerous concerts and even released several albums, further establishing his reputation as a multifaceted entertainer. Despite facing personal tragedy with the loss of his brother early in his career, Belushi's resilience and dedication to his craft have made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.

Bob Odenkirk

Bob Odenkirk, an actor, comedian, and writer, is best known for his roles in "Better Call Saul" and "Mr. Show."

Marisol Nichols

Marisol Nichols moved from a life of crime and poverty to a regularly working character actress, before achieving her biggest success at the age of 43. Nichols was born on November 2, 1973, in Chicago, IL. Nichols was a rebellious teenager who ran with a rough crowd, but eventually came to her senses, reforming her ways and turning towards acting as a positive outlet. In 1996, she made her acting debut on episodes of "Due South" (CBS, 1994-1999) and "Beverly Hills, 90210" (FOX, 1990-2000), before making her film debut alongside Chevy Chase in the comedy "Vegas Vacation" (1997) the following year. It wasn't long before Nichols was on a winning streak, appearing in a number of films, including "Scream 2" (1997), "Friends 'Til the End" (1997), "Can't Hardly Wait" (1998), "Jane Austen's Mafia!" (1998), "The Sex Monster" (1999), and "Bowfinger" (1999). Following that, she went on an equally successful run of TV appearances, on shows such as "Friends" (NBC, 1994-2004), "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CBS, 2000-2015), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC, 1999-2010), "Nip/Tuck" (FX, 2003-2010), "Charmed" (The WB, 1998-2006), and "Cold Case" (CBS, 2003-2010). Nichols scored her biggest role in 2007, playing Special Agent Nadia Yassir on the fifth season of "24" (FOX, 2001-2010). More TV guest roles followed, on programs like "NCIS: Los Angeles" (CBS, 2009-), "Private Practice" (ABC, 2007-2013), and "Criminal Minds" (CBS, 2005-), before landing her biggest role yet, playing Hermione Lodge, the mysterious heiress and single mother to Veronica Lodge, on the surprise hit teen drama "Riverdale" (The CW, 2016-), a dark update of the Archie comics universe.

Sports

Jon Morris

Jon Morris (born April 5, 1942) is an American former professional football player. His father was John D. Morris, a longtime reporter and editor in the Washington bureau of the New York Times. At Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC, he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball. After Gonzaga he played center and linebacker for three seasons of college football at the College of the Holy Cross. He was the Washington Daily News's Athlete of the Year in 1960 and Holy Cross Varsity Club Athlete of the Year and Lineman of the Year in 1963. He was inducted into the Holy Cross Hall of Fame in 1973. The Green Bay Packers, coached by Vince Lombardi, picked Morris as their number two draft choice, however Morris chose to go with the Boston Patriots instead and he was signed on as their third pick. Morris was the Patriots' team Rookie of the Year in 1964, and their "Unsung Hero" in 1965. He was an AFL All-Star six times, 1964 through 1969, and was an AFC Pro Bowl Center in 1970; he was the first Patriots player to be selected for the AFC Pro Bowl. Morris was named to the second team, All-Time All-AFL, and to the fan-selected Boston Patriots All-1960s Team. He played 128 games for the Patriots, the eighth best individual record in club history. Morris played three years (1975-1977) with the Detroit Lions, elected by Lions teammates as their "Offensive Player of the Year" in 1975. Morris recovered several fumbles during his career. The first was a fumble by running back Ron Burton in the Boston Patriots' 24-7 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at Fenway Park on October 23, 1964. In 1966, he recovered a fumble by running back Larry Garron in the Patriots' 27-27 tie with the Kansas City Chiefs at Municipal Stadium on November 20. In 2011, Jon Morris was selected by a senior selection committee as a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Paul Spicer

Paul Spicer (born August 18, 1975) is an assistant defensive line coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. As a player in the NFL, Spicer was a defensive end who spent the majority of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1998.

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Tom Pukstys

Tom Pukstys began his career at COD before going on to compete in his first Olympic Games in 1992, coming in 10th place.

Troy Doris

Troy Doris from Bolingbrook, Illinois, also started his career at COD.

Other Notable Achievements and Recognition

Jacqueline S. Ruiz

College of DuPage marketing alumna Jacqueline S. Ruiz was selected as a 2026 award winner by the Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Looking for a flexible and affordable education, Ruiz enrolled at COD in 2002. In 2006, she founded JJR Marketing, which has expanded to serve clients in the United States, Mexico, Panama, Belize and Colombia. Ruiz is known as a pilot around the world, and is among the less than 7% of Latina pilots nationwide. In recognition of her achievements, United Aviate Academy awarded JJR Marketing its first scholarship for students pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Management degree.

Campus Facilities and Programs

College of DuPage offers a wide array of facilities and programs designed to support student success. The Berg Instructional Center (BIC), opened in 1974, houses classrooms, workshops, labs, and offices. The Culinary and Hospitality Center (CHC), completed in 2011, features culinary kitchens, a boutique hotel run by students, and gourmet restaurants. The Early Childhood Center (ECC), completed in 2007, serves more than 100 children and houses the Early Childhood Education and Care programs. The Health and Science Center (HSC), opened in 2010, supports programs in nursing, health science, and various science disciplines.

The McAninch Arts Center (MAC), built in 1986, includes the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and three performing spaces. The Student Resource Center (SRC) houses the library and bookstore, while the Student Services Center (SSC), completed in 2011, provides a central hub for student services. The Technical Education Center (TEC), completed in 2010, supports programs in architecture, interior design, and various technology fields.

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COD also maintains natural areas on its campus, including the Russell R. Kirt Prairie and the B.J. Hoddinott Wildlife Sanctuary, providing students with opportunities for ecological study and appreciation of nature.

Academic Programs and Initiatives

College of DuPage offers transfer degree and technical education programs in various fields. The college offers "3+1 degree" programs in partnership with universities like Benedictine University and Governors State University. COD's meteorology program, the first in the country to offer storm chasing classes to undergraduates in 1989, allows students to participate in community skywarn programs. The Engineering 2+2 Program, partnered with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, enables students to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering.

The college supports over 60 student clubs and publishes several student publications, including The Courier newspaper and the Prairie Light Review.

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