List of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania alumni facts for kids

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has a long and proud history, and many amazing people have graduated from there! These graduates, called alumni, have gone on to do incredible things in many different fields, like sports, arts, education, and government. They have made a big difference in the world and continue to inspire others.

Amazing Alumni from Cheyney University

Early Trailblazers

• Octavius Catto (Class of 1858): Octavius Catto was a very important activist. He helped make sure the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed in 1870. This amendment gave Black men the right to vote. He also started the first Black baseball team in the United States, called the Philadelphia Pythians, in 1867.
• Martha A. Fairbeau (Minton) (Class of 1859): Martha Fairbeau was a true pioneer! She was the very first woman to graduate from Cheyney University.
• Rebecca J. Cole (Class of 1863): Rebecca Cole was a groundbreaking doctor. She was the second African-American woman to become a physician in the United States. She was also the first Black woman to graduate from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania.
• Joseph E. Lee (Class of ca. 1863): Joseph E. Lee was one of the first Black lawyers in Florida. After graduating from Cheyney, he earned a law degree and became a member of the Florida House of Representatives and later the Florida Senate.
• James B. Dudley (Class of ca. 1870): James B. Dudley dedicated his life to education. He became the President of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 1896 and led the university until his death in 1925.
• Josephine Silone Yates (Class of pre-1877): Josephine Silone Yates was an important African-American writer, teacher, and civil rights advocate. She used her skills to fight for equal rights.
• Julian Abele (Class of ca. 1896): Julian Abele was a famous African-American architect. He helped design many well-known buildings, including parts of Duke University, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Free Library of Philadelphia. He was the first Black student to graduate in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.

Leaders in Civil Rights and Government

• Bayard Rustin (Class of ca. 1937): Bayard Rustin was a key figure in the civil rights movement. He was a very important activist who worked for justice and equality for all people.
• S. Howard Woodson (Class of ca. 1938): S. Howard Woodson made history by becoming the first African-American to serve as Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly since the Reconstruction period.
• Marcus Foster (Class of 1947): Marcus Foster was a respected educator. He was known for his dedication to educational excellence. He became the first Black Superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District in California.
• Joseph M. Segars (Class of ca. 1959): Joseph M. Segars served his country as a U.S. Ambassador to Cape Verde in 1996.
• Robert L. Woodson Sr. (Class of 1962): Robert L. Woodson Sr. is a Civil rights activist and a leader in community development. He founded the Woodson Center, which helps low-income communities thrive.
• Ronald S. Coleman (Class of 1973): Ronald S. Coleman achieved a high rank in the military. He became a Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps, making him the second three-star general of African-American heritage in the USMC.
• Michael Horsey (Class of 1975): Michael Horsey served as a State Representative for Philadelphia County, helping to represent his community.
• Thaddeus Kirkland (Class of 1991): Thaddeus Kirkland is another Cheyney alumnus who became a State Representative, serving the 159th district in Pennsylvania.
• Robert Traynham (Class of 1996): Robert Traynham is a political analyst and television personality. He has worked as an aide to a U.S. Senator and is known for his insights into politics.
• Jerry E. Williams (Class of 1981): Jerry E. Williams held important roles in the government. He was the CIO for the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Obama administration, and for other federal agencies.

Talented in Media and Arts

• Reba Dickerson-Hill (Class of 1940): Reba Dickerson-Hill was a talented artist. She was known for her beautiful paintings, especially using the Japanese brush technique called sumi-e. She won awards for her art.
• Don Evans (Class of 1962): Don Evans was a playwright, theatre director, actor, and educator. He was part of the Black Arts Movement and wrote plays like One Monkey Don't Stop No Show.
• Ed Bradley (Class of 1964): Ed Bradley was a famous CBS News journalist. He was well-known for his work on the popular program 60 Minutes, where he interviewed many important people.
• Jim Vance (Class of 1964): Jim Vance was an Emmy Award-winning anchorman. He was a respected journalist and was even inducted into the Journalists Hall of Fame.
• Robert Bogle (Class of 1973): Robert Bogle is the President and CEO of The Philadelphia Tribune. This newspaper is the oldest Black newspaper still being published today.
• Levy Lee Simon (Class of ca. 1983): Levy Lee Simon is an award-winning playwright. His plays have been recognized for their quality and impact.
• Dave Warren (Class of 1986): Dave Warren is a Talk radio host. He has worked at several radio stations in the Philadelphia area, entertaining and informing listeners.

Sports Stars and Coaches

• William "Billy" Joe (Class of 1970): Coach Billy Joe is a legendary football coach. He won 237 career games, which is one of the highest totals for a coach at a Black college. He also coached for the Philadelphia Eagles and helped them reach the Super Bowl. As a player, he was the AFL Rookie of the Year and won a Super Bowl with the New York Jets.
• Jim Ellis (Class of 1972): Jim Ellis was the real-life inspiration for the Hollywood movie Pride. The movie tells the story of his work as a swimming coach, inspiring young people.
• Bobby Byars (Class of 1976): Bobby Byars was the first football player from Cheyney to be drafted into the NFL by the Houston Oilers. After his football career, he became a successful basketball coach, even winning a championship.
• Andre Waters (Class of 1984): Andre Waters was a former NFL player, known for his time in professional football.
• Randy Monroe (Class of 1987): Randy Monroe is a member of the Cheyney University Athletic Hall of Fame. He became a successful head coach for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County men's basketball team.
• James "Big Cat" Williams (Class of ca. 1991): James "Big Cat" Williams was a professional NFL player for the Chicago Bears for many years. He played in the Pro Bowl, which is a special game for the best players.
• Dominique Curry (Class of 2009): Dominique Curry is a professional NFL player who played for the St. Louis Rams. He was a talented athlete who played football, ran track, and played basketball at Cheyney.

Business and Education Innovators

• Gladys Styles Johnston (Class of 1963): Gladys Styles Johnston became the Chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, a high leadership position in education.
• Craig Welburn (Class of 1971): Craig Welburn is a very successful business owner. His company owns and operates many McDonald's restaurants, making him one of the largest African American owners of these restaurants in the world.
• Samuel J. Patterson (Class of ca. 1982): Samuel J. Patterson is a successful CEO of a consulting firm. He previously worked at companies like DuPont and IBM and has received awards for his business achievements.