FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 12, 2005

CONTACT: Daniel P. Finney, (515) 271-2833 or Daniel.Finney@drake.edu

FAMED CONSERVATIONIST TO DELIVER BUCKSBAUM LECTURE

Conservationist Jane Goodall, Ph.D., and Dame of the British Empire, dreamed of being “Jane of the Jungle” as a young girl in the mid 1940s. She brought that dream to life by living in Africa, studying chimpanzees and her research redefined the relationship between humans and other animals.

Goodall will bring her lifetime of adventure to Drake University as part of the Bucksbaum Lecture Series. She plans to deliver a speech titled “Reasons for Hope” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Drake University Knapp Center, 2601 Forest Ave.

The lecture is free and open to the public. After the lecture, all guests are invited to a reception and book signing. A selection of her books will be available for sale at the event.

Drawing on more than 40 years of work as a tireless advocate for environmental stewardship, personal action and humanitarianism, Dr. Goodall inspires audiences to reach above and beyond what they’ve believed they can do and challenges people’s beliefs to instill “Reason for Hope” for the world and environment.

She is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, a United Nations Messenger of Peace and has authored many books, including the best-selling “Reason for Hope,” “In the Shadow of Man,” “My Life with the Chimpanzees” and the popular Jane Goodall’s “Animal World” children’s series. She has been featured on many television specials and the IMAX film “Jane Goodall’s Wild Chimpanzees” is currently showing at large-format theaters around the world.

The Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series is made possible by a gift from Melva and the late Martin Bucksbaum, former chairman and president of General Growth Corp. and longtime member of Drake's governing board.

For more information about the Bucksbaum Lecture Series, call Susan Breakenridge at (515) 271-3994 or send an e-mail message to susan.breakenridge@drake.edu.

MEDIA ADVISORY: A press conference is scheduled for 3:30 to 4 p.m. in Levitt Hall in the second floor of Old Main, 25th Street and University Avenue. Dr. Goodall requests that bright lights not be shone directly into her eyes. She has a rare eye condition and excessive light is very painful to her. Drake Telemedia Services will light the hall and work with news media members to ensure adequate light is available.

- 30 -