Western University to honour Jane Goodall with honorary degree

Western University announced Friday that Dr. Jane Goodall will receive an honorary degree at a special convocation ceremony in late April.

Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and the United Nations’ Messenger of Peace, Goodall is recognized worldwide for making countless extraordinary scientific breakthroughs in animal behaviour.

“There is perhaps no greater living scientist in the world that deserves this honour more than Jane Goodall,” said Amit Chakma, Western’s president and vice-chancellor, in a release.

“Dr. Goodall has inspired generations of scientists and her trailblazing work with chimpanzees in Tanzania has contributed an extraordinary level of discourse and knowledge to the international scientific community.”

READ MORE: 5 amazing things about the Jane Goodall documentary, ‘Jane’

In 1960, Goodall began observing wildlife in the forests of Tanzania. She then dedicated her time to studying chimpanzees, the animals who would be the topic of discussion for her doctoral thesis, “Behavior of the Free-Ranging Chimpanzee.”

Goodall has since won a number of awards and accolades, including the National Geographic Society Centennial Award in 1988, and the Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences in 1990. She recently won the International Golden Doves for Peace award and has been recognized as a Dame of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

Goodall will be accepting the honorary degree at a special convocation ceremony on April 25.