St. Elmo Brady (1884-1961). Educator, chemist. Class of 1908. First African American to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1916. Developed the chemistry departments at Fisk, Tuskegee, Howard and Tougaloo.
William L. Dawson (1886-1970). Congressman. Class of 1909. Won a seat in the U. S. 78th Congress, representing the First Congressional District of Illinois.