Department of History Awards
The History Department gives two awards to history majors. These awards are merit-based
on the specific work done in the History courses.
The Lekai Award
The Department of History acknowledges the outstanding performance in the major with
a departmental award which is named in honor of a valued, former member of the University
of Dallas faculty, Fr. Louis J. Lekai. A member of the Cistercian Order, Fr. Louis
was one of the founding faculty of the University of Dallas. He published widely -
several books and more than a hundred articles - and earned recognition as the world's
foremost historian of the Cistercian Order.
The Sommerfeldt Senior Thesis Award
The Department of History recognizes excellence in the senior thesis thanks to a generous
gift of Dr. John Sommerfeldt. Dr. Sommerfeldt is a professor of Emeritus of History.
He taught in the history department for more than 40 years, was the academic dean
of Constantin College, and served as University President from 1978-1980. His research
interests include medieval history.
