Elijah Patton

Elijah Patton is an MA student in history at Purdue University, working under Professor David Atkinson. Elijah’s focus is the impact American music has on society, government, and politics. He is particularly interested in questions surrounding American music’s influence around the turn of the 21st century. Elijah will earn his BA in History in December 2026 from Purdue University while also working on his MA, which he intends to finish in the spring of 2028. While at Purdue, he has served in the MIA Accounting and Recovery Coalition (MARC) as lead research assistant. In this role, he has contributed archival and public facing research, assisting both Purdue’s and the DPAA’s efforts in identifying and repatriating American soldiers’ remains who were MIA in the Vietnam War. Outside of academic focus, Elijah serves as the president of Purdue Bible Fellowship and enjoys golf, national parks, and running.