Research Rookies Student Profiles

Name: Wayne Duerkes

Cohort: Sophomore/Transfer Research Rookie

Major: History

Hometown: Somonauk, Illinois

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bradley Bond

“If I could do one thing with my life until the day I die, it would be history.” – Wayne Duerkes

History major Wayne Duerkes is clearly doing what he loves. After six years of serving in the Marine Corps and twenty years of working, Wayne is finally following his true passion, and it shows. Wayne is an incredibly passionate and enthusiastic person with an electric personality. When talking about history, his mentor, or the Research Rookies program, Wayne becomes so excited that his energy can’t help but rub off onto anyone who is listening.

For Wayne’s research project, he is trying to determine why rural Illinois farmers left their lives and families and everything they had to go fight in the Civil War. Wayne is using many primary sources to focus on the Northern Illinois region and see how it compares to the national record in regard to why people left to fight. Previous studies of this sort have focused predominantly on the East coast, so Wayne is hoping to contribute novel insight for the Northern Illinois portion of the Midwest.

Although Wayne is doing most of the research work himself, he is incredibly thankful for the support of his mentor, who challenges him to develop his own points of view and think critically about the texts. Wayne is also very happy to be a Research Rookie, because it has created so many opportunities for him that just keep growing.

Wayne is a non-traditional student who is taking the time to do what he loves, and it shows. With his upbeat attitude, his constant want to learn more, and his extreme determination, Wayne will not only be successful in his work with history, but he will spread his passion for it to many people along the way.

Wayne on what being a Research Rookie means: “Being a Research Rookie means having an opportunity to take your education and skills to the next level through mentoring and in-depth research.”