Greetings from the Center for Campus History! That’s right, the entity formerly known as the UW Public History Project is now officially a permanent campus center! But don’t let the name change throw you. We’ll still be here every month with the premium newsletter content you rely on, plus, you know, continuing our mission of highlighting the histories of exclusion and resistance at UW. 

Read on for updates on Center research, events, award news, archival finds, new book and movie recommendations, and more!

The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Rebecca M. Blank Center For Campus History is an ongoing university effort to uncover and give voice to those who experienced, challenged, and overcame prejudice on campus. As always, if you have a story to share, an event you think should be researched, or a person you think has been overlooked, please email us at publichistoryproject@wisc.edu.

Meet one of the Center’s student researchers — Kyle Miron! 

Kyle is a third year PhD student in the U.S. History program at UW. They are broadly interested in medicine, sexuality, and the carceral state. Their master’s thesis examined how medico-legal narratives of girlhood masturbation were deployed in the early juvenile courtroom. They received their bachelor’s degree in English and Educational Studies from Vassar College where their work looked at modernist literature, sex education, and Americanization projects. 

Kyle grew up in North Carolina where they grew to love mountains and feel neutral about the beach. When not at school, they love embroidery and roller skating.

UW–Madison officially turns 175 years old this month! From 1848 to today, Badgers have found shared purpose in the principle of the Wisconsin Idea — an unwavering belief that our teaching, research, and public service should push beyond the boundaries of campus to improve the lives of all.

Join the campus community in celebrating those ideals and everything the university has accomplished over the past 17 decades!

Find more info and upcoming events here, and keep an eye out for collaborations with the Center as we take part in commemorating the anniversary.

Not to brag (too much) but we are so excited to share that the Center’s exhibition, Sifting & Reckoning, has been honored as the recipient of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s 2023 Museum Exhibit Award!

In its announcement, WHS recognized Sifting & Reckoning as exemplifying the “critical work of relevant history to make sense of the present and respond to community needs.” 

The physical version of the exhibition was on view at the Chazen Museum of Art in fall 2022, while a complete digital version is available online.

Did we mention we’re now a campus center? Join us in commemorating the official opening of the CCH at our inaugural reception with refreshments, celebration and community.

Find out more here.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 5-7PM

Pyle Center Alumni Lounge

Open to the public with RSVP

As recent news headlines make clear, the fight for equity and inclusion on American campuses is an ongoing struggle. 

Just look at this decades-old photo from the UW Archives showing student protesters pushing for affirmative action in the 1970s.

Each month, we like to share one of the many (many… many… ) books that have helped the Center’s research.  

But this month’s selection happens to be a book that the whole campus community will be reading this fall. That’s right, the 2023-24 Go Big Read is here!

Bridging emergent research in psychology and neuroscience with conversations among political activists, cult members, and conspiracy theorists, David McRaney’s How Minds Change interrogates the mechanisms that determine personal and collective opinion and belief. Approachable and empathetic, How Minds Change is a thoughtful and pressing text for the current age.

Do you have any burning questions about UW history? Stories or people you think we should look into? Let us know! Email us at centerforcampushistory@wisc.edu. 

Each month Center Director Kacie Lucchini Butcher will share a book, podcast, movie, quote, or something else she thinks has been adding to the CCH. We're calling it "From The Desk of KLB".

This month From The Desk of KLB, Bama Rush, a 2023 documentary from filmmaker Rachel Fleit that dives into the hectic, competitive and secretive world of sorority pledging at the University of Alabama. 

Following young women as the compete for coveted spots, the film takes an unflinching look at issues like body image, sexual assault, feminism and race that swirl around the university’s Greek culture. 

Available for streaming on Max.