The University of Winnipeg

News

Campus

Jane Goodall to receive Honorary Doctorate on September 29

Dr. Jane Goodall lecture at The University of Winnipeg, while her stuffed chimp sits on the lecturn

Dr. Jane Goodall at UWinnipeg, September 2015

The University of Winnipeg is proud to announce that renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws at a special ceremony to be held on Friday, September 29 at 12:30 p.m. in Convocation Hall.

Dr. Goodall inspired a capacity crowd at UWinnipeg in September 2015 as the second speaker in The Axworthy Distinguished Lecture Series on Social Justice and the Public Good.

Dr. Goodall’s work at the Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve became the foundation of contemporary primatological research, effectively redefining the relationship between humans and animals. Dr. Goodall broke new ground for women in science. In the 1960s, her field of study had tended to marginalize women, but the influence of Dr. Goodall’s research has served to erode some of the obstacles that women have faced. In 1977, she established the Jane Goodall Institute, which supports programs for research, education, community development, and conservation.

“Dr. Goodall spends considerable time and effort, through the Jane Goodall Institute and in particular its Roots & Shoots program, educating and inspiring our next generation of leaders,” said Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “She has an amazing ability to speak from the heart and reminds all of us that we are interconnected beings on this planet. It is our privilege to honour her with our highest award.”

In fall 2016, UWinnipeg’s Dr. Carlos Colorado (Religion and Culture), was appointed to the prestigious position of Chair of the Board of Directors of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada (JGIC), a globally renowned nonprofit that empowers people to make a difference for all living things. Through this network, Dr. Goodall’s vision for sustainable living — founded on a symbiotic relationship between human animals, nonhuman animals and the rest of the natural world — has been enacted through educational programs, habitat protection, and development initiatives.

In 2002, Dr. Goodall was appointed a UN Messenger of Peace by Kofi Annan. Her many honours include the Medal of Tanzania, the National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal, Japan’s prestigious Kyoto Prize, the Gandhi/King Award for Nonviolence, the Franklin Institute’s Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life and Science, and Spain’s coveted Prince of Asturias Award. In February 2004, she was awarded England’s highest honor, Dame of the British Empire.

MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin
Senior Communications Specialist
The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135
E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca