Professor Lekan teaches undergraduate surveys of European civilization and modern Germany, as well as specialized undergraduate courses and seminars on environmental history, the urban experience in modern Europe, and Nazi social history.
Biographical Profile
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
History
Tenure Status
Tenured
International Activity
International Activities
Yes
Type of Activity
Research, Teaching, Service
Countries
Germany, South Korea, Tanzania, United Kingdom
Institutional Focus Areas
Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities
Extended Residence in Foreign Country
Yes
(Germany)
Speaks Non-English Language
Yes
(German)
Interest Background
Do you include students in your research?
Undergraduates and Graduates
Interest Keywords
European history, environmental history, urban history, German history, tourism studies
Institutional Focus Areas
Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities
Personal Focus Areas
Modern German History, Environmental History, Urban Studies
Professional Preparation(Education & Training)
Dates
Institution
Location
Degree
Field of Study
08/1999
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
PhD
Modern European Social History, minor: Geography
03/1993
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington
MA
Modern European Intellectual History and American Environmental History
06/1989
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota
BA
History
Memberships & Professional Activities
Dates
Type
Description
Institution/Entity
Membership
American Historical Association
Membership
American Society for Environmental History
Membership
Fulbright Alumni Association
Membership
European Society for Environmental History
Membership
German Studies Association
Positions & Appointments
Dates
Description
Institution/Entity
1998 - 1999
Lecturer, University of Wisconsin
1999 - 2005
Assistant Professor of History and Faculty Associate, School of the Environment and Walker Institute for International Studies, University of South Carolina
2005
Associate Professor of History and Faculty Associate, School of the Environment and Walker Institute for International Studies, University of South Carolina
1997
Visiting Instructor, Carleton College
Recognition Awards, Honors, & Fellowships
Dates
Type
Description
Foundation/Entity
2002
Award
Fulbright Scholar
Fulbright Foundation
2009
Award
USC Educational Foundation Research for Humanities and Social Sciences Award
University of South Carolina
2015
Award
Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Awards
University of South Carolina
2021
Award
DAAD Book Prize in History and Social Sciences for his book titled: Our Gigantic Zoo: A German Quest to Save the Serengeti published by Oxford University Press in January 2020
German Studies Association
Award
Graduate Seminar Essay Prize, University of Wisconsin History Department
Award
Finalist, Ada B. Thomas Outstanding Facutly and Staff Advisor of the Year
Award
Passed Doctoral Preliminary Examinations with distinction
Award
Golden Key Faculty Award for the Creative Integration of Research and Undergraduate Teaching
Award
Finalist, Ada B. Thomas Outstanding Facutly and Staff Advisor of the Year
2010
Fellowship
National Humanities Center Fellows
National Humanities Center
2010
Fellowship
American Council of Learned Societies Fellows (ACLS)
American Council of Learned Societies Fellows
2011
Fellowship
National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships
Newberry Foundation
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