Lex Renda is Associate Professor Emeritus of History and Affiliated Associate Professor Emeritus of Urban Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where he devoted more than thirty-three years to teaching, research, service, and leadership before retiring in 2025. A specialist in nineteenth-century U.S. history, Renda focused his scholarship on the Civil War era, American political development, constitutional history, voting rights, slavery, and the law. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in 1991 and soon became a deeply respected presence within UWM’s History Department.
Over the course of his career, Renda taught everything from introductory surveys in early American history to specialized courses on the Civil War, Reconstruction, American political history, and graduate research methods. Students and colleagues alike knew him as an engaging, thoughtful, and direct professor who was generous with his time and feedback. Described by colleagues as “always honest and direct, never mincing words while still being kind and generous with his comments.”
Beyond the classroom, Renda played a vital role in shaping the department itself. As a member of the History Department and a longtime administrator within the College of Letters and Science, he became known as the “wizard of Holton” for his remarkable ability to untangle administrative problems, manage complex scheduling needs, and respond almost instantly to emails. Colleagues affectionately referred to him as the “Deacon of Course Scheduling” for the care and precision he brought to arranging the department’s extensive course offerings while balancing the needs of faculty and students alike.
Renda was also instrumental in expanding access to history education at UWM, helping establish opportunities for online students and advocating for a reduced teaching load structure that benefited faculty across the department. He contributed to public history efforts through the Encyclopedia of Milwaukee, writing entries on Joshua Glover, Temperance, and the Bridge War, and remained a consistent voice for the greater good of the department and its community.
Longtime colleagues still remember his arrival at UWM as a young faculty member, always dressed in a suit and tie and carrying his own lectern to class before the internet transformed the modern classroom. Around campus, he developed a reputation for knowing nearly every corner of UWM, reflecting both his decades of service and his deep connection to the university community.
Outside academia, Renda’s love for sports was something worth noting. A devoted fan of the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers, he often shared games and conversations with colleagues while also bringing his enthusiasm for baseball and football into the classroom. Though he arrived in Milwaukee as a die-hard Yankees fan, he eventually became a loyal supporter of “the Crew,” complete with extensive baseball knowledge, stories, and we wouldn’t be shocked if he knew the “Secret Stadium Sauce.”
Through his scholarship, leadership, humor, and steady presence, Lex Renda left a lasting mark on generations of students, faculty, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee community. In May 2025, the UWM Department of History Executive Committee endorsed his ascension to emeritus status, celebrating a career defined by intellectual curiosity, service and dedication.