Last spring, attorney and independent historian Ben Cwayna returned to Michigan State University to speak in Thomas Summerhill's Civil War classroom. The visit brought him back to a setting that helped nurture his own love of history more than two decades earlier.
Cwayna earned his bachelor's degree from MSU's James Madison College in 2003 and his law degree from the MSU College of Law in 2006. He has spent much of his professional life building a legal career while pursuing a lifelong passion for history.
During his visit, he offered undergraduate students a firsthand look at the historical research process, sharing lessons from years of archival research and writing.
For Dr. Summerhill, the visit was especially meaningful.
"Ben gave an excellent presentation to my Civil War class," he said. "He discussed his research and writing process and also spent time individually with students, answering questions and offering advice. Students loved it."
Reconnecting with a favorite professor
"I hadn't talked to Dr. Summerhill in about 25 years," Cwayna said. "He was one of my favorite professors, and I thought he would be pleased to know that one of his former students had written a scholarly book."
After reaching out, the two met for lunch, and Cwayna brought along a copy of his recently published book, The Invincible Twelfth: The 12th South Carolina Infantry of the Gregg-McGowan Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia.
Their catch-up led to an invitation for Cwayna to speak with students studying the Civil War. The visit gave students an opportunity to hear from someone who conducted extensive archival research outside of academia while balancing a demanding professional career.
Cwayna said the opportunity felt like a natural fit and renewed his connection to the department.
"I'd love to do more things with Dr. Summerhill and the History Department."
From childhood fascination to published historian
Cwayna's interest in history began long before his time at MSU.
As a child growing up in Michigan, he became fascinated by the Civil War through documentaries, films, and historical reenactments. Inspired by works like Ken Burns' The Civil War and films like Glory and Gettysburg, he immersed himself in the era and joined a living history group at age 12.
A year later, Cwayna joined another group that portrayed both the 4th Michigan Infantry and the 12th South Carolina Infantry. Through that experience, he developed a lasting interest in the South Carolina regiment and was surprised to discover how little had been written about its history.
"I had always determined that someday I was going to write a regimental history on this unit," he said.
About a decade ago, he began turning that longtime goal into reality. Working evenings and weekends while managing his law practice, Cwayna tracked down letters, diaries, newspaper accounts, and archival materials from repositories across the South. Without formal historical training beyond his undergraduate coursework, he relied on persistence, contacting archives and historical societies, following leads, and organizing sources as he pieced together the regiment's story.
The project drew heavily on the same skills he uses as an attorney. Historical research, he explained, shares much in common with legal work, where attorneys often rely on decades-old precedents and carefully analyze documentary evidence.
"There's a lot of research in the legal field," he said. "A lot of the case law goes back 100 years or more. History prepared me well to become an attorney."
Among his most surprising discoveries were newspaper columns where soldiers wrote detailed reports from the front lines back to their hometown papers, offering a glimpse into everyday life during the war. He also uncovered evidence of civilian organizations in South Carolina that supplied soldiers with clothing, food, and other necessities, revealing the many ways communities supported the war effort beyond the battlefield.
Although he ultimately pursued law, Cwayna admits he has often wondered what might have happened if he had followed a different path.
"I wish, looking back, that I had known more about pursuing a career in history," he said. "I think I would have enjoyed teaching. I would love to do what Dr. Summerhill does. I think he's got the best job in the world."
Giving back to the next generation
As MSU students worked on Civil War research projects in Dr. Summerhill's class, Cwayna circulated among small groups, answering questions and discussing research strategies. He was impressed by the scope of their work and the seriousness with which they approached a complex and often challenging subject.
"The Civil War is a difficult topic," he said. "It requires a great deal of maturity. I thought the students were asking good questions and were very thoughtful in how they approached their projects."
Several students stayed after class to ask Cwayna about research, graduate school, and legal careers. He was happy to share his experiences and said that returning to the classroom was a meaningful way to stay connected to a university that played an important role in his life.
"I had a really good seven years at Michigan State through undergrad and law school," he said. "I've been a Spartan ever since."
Now, with more flexibility in his schedule, he sees opportunities to support the next generation of students while sharing the value of historical thinking. "I'll take any opportunity I can to spread interest and knowledge about history," he said, adding that students should remember that a passion for history can lead in many directions, from teaching and public history to careers outside of academia.
By returning to the classroom, Cwayna offered students both practical advice and an example of how a lifelong interest in history can continue to shape a career—and a connection—to the university.
For more information on Cwayna's book, please see: https://www.savasbeatie.com/the-invincible-twelfth-the-12th-south-carolina-infantry-of-the-gregg-mcgowan-brigade-army-of-northern-virginia/
If you're an MSU alum who is interested in partnering with the History Department in any capacity, please contact Chairperson Michael Stamm at stamm@msu.edu.
