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Laura Godden

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Assistant Professor
Murphy Library
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

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Laura Godden Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Assistant Professor

Murphy Library

Specialty area(s)

Special Collections/Area Research Center (SC/ARC) archives

Brief biography

The UWL Murphy Library Special Collections/Area Research Center (SC/ARC) archives houses a variety of unique and historic materials (most of which have some sort of local connection). In my role there, I collect, preserve, and provide access to these items of enduring value, aiding researchers from UWL, the surrounding community, and beyond. I frequently advise and consult on public history projects and other related matters, as well as present and write about historical topics, archives, and primary source records. I also serve as a regional National History Day (NHD) judge, City of La Crosse Heritage Preservation Commissioner (HPC), and La Crosse County Historical Society (LCHS) Discover the Silent City tour guide. Additionally, I am a member of the University of Wisconsin System Archives Council (UWSAC), UWL George Gilkey Special Collections Research Scholarship Committee, UWL Oral History Program (OHP) Board, and various other university and departmental level committees.

Current courses at UWL

I teach a select cohort of UWL undergraduate students practical, in-depth, and hands-on cultural heritage skills through professional-level employment in SC/ARC, providing them with invaluable experience for their post-graduation endeavors. I also conduct a large number of individualized instruction sessions for community groups and UWL classes of various disciplines (APH, ARC, ART, ECO, ENG, ERS, FYS/UWL100, GEO, HIS, REC, SAA, THA, WGS, and more). Additionally, I regularly help educators at all levels incorporate primary sources and other archival materials into their instruction and coursework.

Education

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), 2018, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Concentration: Archival Studies

Master of Arts (MA), History, 2011, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Concentration: Ninetieth and twentieth-century American history

Bachelor of Science (BS), 2007, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Major: Broad Field Social Studies, Secondary Education
Second Major: Political Science, Minor: History
Wisconsin Teaching Licensure EA-A, 73, 701

Career

Teaching history

Graduate Teaching Assistant (TA), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee History Department, September 2009-May 2011. Planned and led discussion sections, conducted assessment/grading, held office hours, constructed review sessions, and assisted enrolled undergraduate students.

  • HIS 131: World History to 1500
  • HIS 152: American History from 1877 to the Present
  • HIS 249: Second World War in Europe
  • HIS 287: Vietnam War

Professional history

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Murphy Library Special Collections/Area Research Center (SC/ARC), April 2012 to present. 

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, History Department Graduate Teaching Assistant, September 2009 to June 2011.

Research and publishing

Godden, Laura, Teri Holford, Patricia Stovey, and Tiffany Trimmer. “Friendly Finding Aid: A Collaborative Way to Build Primary Source Research Foundations.” In Embracing Change: Alternatives to Traditional Research Writing Assignments, editors Silke Higgins and Ngoc-Yen Tran, 111-130. Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries, 2022.

“University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Murphy Library Special Collections and Area Research Center (ARC).” In A Resident's Guide to La Crosse, Wisconsin: An Anthology of Essays Written by the Leaders of La Crosse’s Most Well-Respected Businesses, Clubs, Organizations, and Events, 100+ Things to Do in America’s Cities Series, xx-xx. Racine, WI: Z Publishing House, forthcoming.

Postcard History Series: La Crosse. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2015. F587.L14 G72 2015, Search@UW Library Catalog Entry.

“Homecoming, the Lantern, and the Lighting of the ‘L.’” In We’ve Hung the Lantern: A Visual History of the First 50 Years of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, by Leslie F. Crocker, 64-92. Houston, MN: Looney Valley Publications, 2013. F589.L17 C72 2013, Search@UW Library Catalog Entry.

“La Crosse, Wisconsin’s Oehler Mill: The Gradual Reinvention of an Historic Landmark.” University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2011. F589.L15 O44 2012, Search@UW Library Catalog Entry.

“Forgotten Peacemaker in a World Moving Toward War: Herbert Hoover’s Unique Brand of Foreign Policy in a Climate of Isolationism.” M.A. Thesis in History. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 2011. 121 pages. E1000 .G579 2011, Search@UW Library Catalog Entry.

Kudos

presented

Laura Godden, Murphy Library, presented "Historic La Crosse: Preservation Efforts" at Onalaska Public Library's Senior Moments on April 24 in Onalaska, WI.

Submitted on: Dec. 3

interviewed

Laura Godden, Murphy Library, was interviewed by Rick Solem of WIZM News, 1410AM/92.3FM on April 12. She discussed some of La Crosse's historic buildings, using knowledge from her work and service on the City of La Crosse Heritage Preservation Commission.

Submitted on: Dec. 3

interviewed

Laura Godden, Murphy Library, was interviewed by Tate Weise of WXOW News 19 on July 3. The report focused on some of the most interesting items in the UWL Murphy Library Special Collections/Area Research Center archives.

Submitted on: Dec. 3

elected

Laura Godden, Murphy Library, was elected chair of the University of Wisconsin System Archives Council (UWSAC).

Submitted on: Feb. 15

presented

Laura Godden, Murphy Library, presented "Listening to War: UWL's Wartime Oral Histories" at the La Crosse Public Library's Monday Mornings at Main on Monday, Nov. 13 in La Crosse, WI.

Submitted on: Nov. 13, 2023

presented

Laura Godden, Murphy Library, presented "Postmarked for Local History" at the Wisconsin Historical Society Local History and Historic Preservation Conference on Oct. 19 in La Crosse, WI. The presentation gave an overview of the history and historical value of postcards.

Submitted on: Oct. 23, 2023

interviewed

Laura Godden, Murphy Library, was interviewed by Rick Solem of WIZM News, 1410AM/92.3FM, La Crosse Talk PM on Sept. 1. She discussed Murphy Library's archival holdings and a possible War Eagle steamboat mural.

Submitted on: Sept. 7, 2023

interviewed

Laura Godden, Murphy Library, was interviewed by Rick Solem of WIZM News, 1410AM/92.3FM, La Crosse Talk PM on June 28. She discussed the city's decision to make Lincoln Middle School a historic landmark.

Submitted on: Aug. 29, 2023

interviewed

Laura Godden, Murphy Library, was interviewed by Lance Allan of WTMJ-4 (NBC/Milwaukee) on Feb. 13. This news story highlights past La Crosse resident and first Black American to medal in the Olympics, George Poage, in celebration of Black History Month.

Submitted on: Feb. 15, 2023

presented

Laura Godden, Murphy Library, presented "Significant Historical, Architectural, and Archaeological Sites, Structures, and Preservation Efforts" at the Midwest Archaeological Conference annual meeting on Oct. 15 in La Crosse, WI.

Submitted on: Oct. 21, 2022