College of DuPage honored five alumni for their careers and achievements during the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards Reception.

Sponsored by Alumni Engagement in the Office of Institutional Advancement, the ceremony recognized Diane J. Blair-Sherlock, J.D., Alexa Knierim, Everette “Reggie” Martin, Matthew Rahn and the Hon. Bonnie M. Wheaton.

“One of the greatest measures of a college’s impact is found in the accomplishments of its alumni. As a community college, we have the privilege of serving students at pivotal moments in their lives,” said College of DuPage President Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi.

Learn more about COD’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni:

Diane J. Blair-Sherlock, J.D. is an attorney, public servant and community advocate whose career has been dedicated to public service, civic engagement and strengthening opportunities for Illinois families. She earned an Associate in Arts degree at COD before completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science-Public Law at Northern Illinois University and a Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School. Today she serves as an Illinois state representative in the Illinois House of Representatives and is chair of the State Government Administration Committee.

Alexa Knierim is one of the most decorated American pairs figure skaters in history. Having earned an Associate in General Studies from COD, she went on to first compete with her husband, Chris Knierim, winning three national championships in pairs figure skating and an Olympic bronze medal in 2018. After her husband’s retirement, she partnered with Brandon Frazier, winning two additional national championships, an Olympic gold medal and a World Championship title, only the third American pair in history to do so.

Everette “Reggie” Martin is the chief of the Ground Controls Branch at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. A U.S. Navy veteran, he worked as a technician at Fermilab while earning an Associate in Engineering Science at COD and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Martin has played a critical role in NASA’s space exploration programs since 2006, the including the Space Launch System and both the Artemis I and Artemis II launches. 

Matthew Rahn played football for COD from 2000 to 2001 before earning a scholarship to Hastings College in Nebraska, where he continued his football career, and later earned a master’s degree in Sports Leadership at Concordia University Chicago. After playing professional indoor football, he was named COD’s head football coach in 2020 and has since built one of the nation’s premier community college programs, leading the Chaparrals to five consecutive NJCAA Division III National Championships and being named NJCAA Division III Football Coach of the Year four times.  

The Hon. Bonnie M. Wheaton is Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court and a longtime leader in Illinois’ legal community. She has served on the bench for more than three decades, earning recognition for her judicial excellence, public service and commitment to strengthening access to justice. She exemplifies what it means to be a lifelong learner, pursuing coursework at COD in Russian, Spanish, geology and photography to broaden her cultural, scientific and artistic skills.

View photos from the event.

Learn more about the Distinguished Alumni Awards at College of DuPage.