Wayne Brekhus, Sociology

Wayne Brekhus has been a member of the MU faculty since 1999 and has taught a number of graduate and undergraduate sociology courses. He also serves as the director of undergraduate studies for the sociology department and advises more than 200 sociology majors. For the past four years, Brekhus has been a co-facilitator for a Culture and Society Freshman Interest Group.

"I have never met such a commanding figure who genuinely cares about his students and their successes as much as Dr. Brekhus does, nor one that teaches so brilliantly," said Lauren Sanborn, an MU junior and student of Brekhus.

In 2007, Brekhus was named a Wakonse Fellow and, in 2005, he was awarded the Excellence in Education Award at MU. In 2002, he was honored with a Purple Chalk Teaching Award by the College of Arts and Science, an award from students and is presented to professors each year during Arts and Science Week.

Brekhus is described as being extremely dedicated to his work and personable to both his students and his colleagues.

"Wayne has been an important source of support and inspiration for me in my teaching," said Joan Hermsen, an associate professor of sociology. "When I am struggling with a student or a subject and just need someone to hear me out, he listens."

Brekhus received his bachelor's degree at North Dakota State University and his master's and doctorate at Rutgers University. Prior to his time at MU, he was an assistant instructor of sociology at Rutgers.


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