Goodall named grad speaker; Primatologist chosen after suggestions by student body

One of the world’s leading chimpanzee behavior researchers will offer nuggets of wisdom to graduating seniors as they move beyond campus boundaries.

Jane Goodall, the highly acclaimed primatologist, will address SU seniors in its 151st commencement and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in its 108th commencement in a joint ceremony held on May 15 in the Carrier Dome, an SU representative announced Tuesday.

‘I am very pleased that Jane Goodall has agreed to share her perspectives and experiences with us,’ SU Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor said in a press release. ‘Her research is known around the world, and she has led many people to take informed and compassionate action to improve the environment for all living things.’

Dr. Goodall’s research on chimpanzee behavior redefined scientific understanding of the relationship between humans and animals. Going against culturally prescribed norms for women of her generation, Goodall began in 1960 exploring the Gombe Stream region of East Africa and studying chimpanzees.

Husna Haq, a senior in magazine journalism and political science, was surprised by the choice.



‘It’s an interesting choice. It’s nice to have someone from the scientific community who is also representing women,’ she said.

To begin the selection process, a Web site gathered suggestions from the SU community. A committee composed of two student marshals, Jessica Cordova and Paul Dimoh, student marshals from each school and college and the three student representatives to the University’s Board of Trustees, sifted through the 30-page listing of electronic submissions.

The Commencement Speaker Selection Committee brought the list down to 20 choices that were forwarded to the chancellor’s office, where the final decision was made.

‘Some of the initial choices from the Web site were pretty funny,’ Cordova said. ‘Mickey Mouse and Puff Daddy, and some students named themselves.’

The selection process took about two months and went smoother than in years past, Cordova said.

‘We made sure that we met in person to have real debate, because sometimes we get stuck in our disciplines. Together, we came up with names that we might not have otherwise.’ Cordova said learning was an essential part of the process because narrowing the speaker options involved research.

Goodall’s discovery that chimpanzees could use tools debunked the myth of man as sole ‘toolmaker.’ Goodall’s astute observations revealed chimpanzees’ personalities, emotions and mental abilities. The Gombe Stream Research Center thrives today under Tanzanian leadership as one of the longest uninterrupted wildlife studies in history.

The Jane Goodall Institute, founded in 1977, protects chimpanzees and their habitats. The center emphasizes grassroots conservation and development programs in Africa.

Goodall’s accolades include the Medal of Tanzania, the National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal, Japan’s Kyoto Prize, the Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research, the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Sciences and the Ghandi/King Award for Nonviolence.

Goodall is a U.N. Messenger of Peace and a Dame of the British Empire, the female equivalent of knighthood.

At age 70, she has published a multitude of books: two overviews of Gombe research, autobiographies in letters, a best-selling autobiography, ‘Reason for Hope,’ and children’s books. ‘The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior,’ chronicles her scientific career.

Past SU Commencement speakers include Phylicia Rashad, Bill Clinton, Rudi Giuliani and Ted Koppel.

‘Every speaker comes with a certain expertise, but commencement speeches don’t focus on that expertise,’ said Dr. F. Reed Hainsworth, a professor in the biology department for 35 years. Instead, he said, Commencement speakers offer broad advice for all graduating students at their time of celebration – their changing of life.

Hainsworth said he’s never heard Jane Goodall give a commencement speech before, but that he understands the university’s interest in having a speaker who is prominent.

‘Dr. Goodall is a devoted educator and conservationist, and a shining example of an accomplished woman of science who is internationally respected for her work,’ said Kevin Morrow, director of SU news services. ‘I’m confident that her presentation to our students will be fascinating.’





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