Assistant Professor of Sociology
Office: 142 Gries
Phone: 227-1269
E-mail: odurfee@nmu.edu
Courses currently taught at NMU: Introduction to Sociology (SOC101)
Research interests include demography, specifically the demographic changes in rural America; social inequality and stratification; education, specifically distance education; and popular culture.
Six years of teaching/administrative experience at the K-12 level and seven years of teaching experience in higher education.
Dr. Omer W. “Bill” Durfee, Ph.D., completed his degree at South Dakota State University. His dissertation research investigated high school teachers in South Dakota that use distance learning as part of their instruction. Dr. Durfee’s research centered on the factors that increase teachers’ commitment to using distance learning as a way to teach. Distance learning/education is an area that Dr. Durfee is extremely interested in, especially when it concerns the diffusion of technological innovations.
Dr. Durfee is also interested in socioeconomic equality and demography. In particular, Dr. Durfee is very interested in the “out-migration” of rural areas, especially in the Great Plains. Dr. Durfee also has a growing interest in the effect of social class on higher education students.
Dr. Durfee is a “musician by trade,” having spent time in the Marines and National Guard as a euphonium player in military bands. This background in music has spurred another interest: how societies react to music and other types of entertainment that may be found to be deviant. He often quotes movies, tv shows, and songs as part of his lectures.
Dr. Durfee is getting to know every inch of U.S. Highway 41 between Marquette and Fond du Lac, WI, as he commutes often to visit his wife and high-school-age children. Dr. Durfee has some tips for would-be commuters:
Although Dr. Durfee is from “WesTriver,” (West of the Missouri River in South Dakota), he considers it an honor to become a Yooper. He feels that this is one of the friendliest campuses with the friendliest students that he has ever dealt with. And he says that he “isn’t just say that to win brownie points.” He really feels that way.
2007 – current Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, Assistant Professor
2006 – 2007 – Alpena Community College, Alpena, MI, Instructor
2006 – University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI, Lecturer
2005 – 2006 – University of Wisconsin-Colleges, Baraboo and Richland Center, WI, Associate Lecturer
2005 – 2006 – Williston State College, Williston, ND, Online Adjunct Instructor
2004 – 2005 – Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI, Assistant Professor
2000 – 2003 – Williston State College, Williston, ND, Instructor
1993 – 1995 – Chokio – Alberta Schools, Chokio, MN, Secondary School Principal
1991 – Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD, Adjunct Instructor
1988 – 1989 – Eagle Butte Schools, Eagle Butte, SD, Secondary Music Teacher
1987 – 1988 – Deubrook Schools, White, SD, Secondary Music Teacher
1986 – 1987 – Rock County High School, Bassett, NE, Elementary & Secondary Band Director/Asst. Football Coach
1985 – 1986 – Crow Creek Tribal School, Stephan, SD, Secondary Music Teacher/Asst. Football Coach
