College mourns passing of Anne Goding, lecturer of communication

It is with sadness that the College shares the news of the death of Anne Goding, recently retired lecturer in the Department of Communication, on Sept. 19, 2019.

Goding was a beloved member of the SUNY New Paltz community, a distinguished teacher and scholar known by students and colleagues alike for her kindness and generosity.

She held an M.S. in communication studies from Eastern Washington University, and specialized in the intersections of intercultural communication, public communication and storytelling.

Goding joined the SUNY New Paltz faculty in 2001 and forged connections with numerous students through her compassionate teaching, advising and mentorship.

She modeled a culturally inclusive approach to the study of human communication in courses including “Small Group Communication” and “Communication among Cultures.”

She may be best known by students outside the Department of Communication as the creator of the popular “Storytelling and Culture” course, which challenged students to consider diverse storytelling forms through a mixture of research, public speaking and performance.

Goding authored the textbook “Storytelling: Reflecting on Oral Narratives and Cultures,” a deep analysis of the ways face-to-face storytelling can make meaning and build social cohesion between diverse peoples. She also co-authored “Stand Up, Speak Out: The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking,” with colleagues including Professor of Communication Jason Wrench.

Goding retired from her role at the College on Sept. 1, 2019.

Prior to joining the SUNY New Paltz community, Goding worked as a teacher for the Bear Tribe Medicine Society in Spokane, Washington, leading outdoor summer programs on topics related to Native American philosophy, ritual and ceremony.

This post will be updated with information about memorial services and any other event honoring the life of Anne Goding, as we receive that information from the Goding family.