Name: Erik C. Wade

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Birthday: 07/31/79

Undergraduate Institution, Degree, Major: University of South Florida, Tampa; BA, History

Graduate Degree & Major: MA in American Studies, 2005 (Purdue); Ph.D. Candidate presently

Skills: Interpersonal Communication and Interdisciplinary Research

Hobbies: Creative and Academic Writing, Traveling, Sports (watching and participating), Film, Plays, Cooking

Awards and Accomplishments: 

Purdue Doctoral Fellowship, 2006-Present; Presidential Non-Service Fellowship (BGSU), 2005-2006; Special Initiatives Fellowship (Bilsland), 2004-2005; Chester E. Eisinger Research Award, 2004, 2005, and 2008

How long have you been a member of the BGA?  2 years

How has the BGA been instrumental in your graduate career?  BGA has been a nice network of friends and support beyond my American Studies program.

What three words (or phrases) would you use to describe the BGA? A circle of friends that provide a brief escape from the trials and tribulations of graduate school.

How did you find out about the BGA? Word-of-mouth a few years back

How has BGA grown since last year? If you are a first year student, what do you think that you can contribute the BGA? I'm not sure I'm the best person to address this question, though, I do hope BGA will venture out to bring in more black graduate students into the fold and other students who would find BGA a welcoming space for them.

What is your lifelong dream? To be happy in the fact I'm contributing to the world more than I take away. This is something I strive for each day. In th end, I want to be the best professor and person I can become; someone my family and friends respect. Finding a partner and having some kids would be a nice cherry on top.

Who were the most influential people in your life? My mother, Scotia Wade, hands down. Although, Conova Hairston, my aunt, and my best friends, Tarik J. Lewis and Charles Park, follow up and represent nicely. Oh, and my "Hoosier Mama," dissertation director, and friend, Dr. Susan Curtis has been an amazing impact on me.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words? I have two sets of 3 words: Always pushing forward and making myself better.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself finally laying down roots in a community where I'm teaching at an institution of higher learning and working within that community to make strides toward developing an academy for the local youth. Within this time period I hope to have made international connections and traveled a great deal (for pleasure and professionally).

What is one thing in life you must have? Peace in my heart, mind and soul that my time on this Earth was never wasted nor in vain.

Why did you decide to come to Purdue and what do you like most about the University thus far? I decided to come to Purdue for two reasons: 1) I believed (and discovered to be true) that this university would provide me with the support and resources I needed to succeed and 2) The financial support didn't hurt, either. :) It took me a while to find many "likes" about the university. I love the fact that on any given day I can interact with someone from the Greater Lafayette area and someone from abroad. The diversity in the area is great, considering we are in the middle of Indiana.

Any other comments, words of wisdom, or shout outs you would like to make?

To make the best of your graduate student career at Purdue you have to make concerted efforts to socialize and move beyond your comfort zone, especially if you never lived in the Midwest (namely: central Indiana). It goes without saying that this is not Tampa, Philly, VA, NY or Cali. But you can find people from those areas here and beyond and make a community for the time you're at Purdue. When you do, the time goes by far more easier than worrying about what's not here and back home. In short, you have to try to make a home here.