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Making a difference Neuroscience senior Kelly Jo Baker isn't shy about the fact that she idolizes renowned primatologist Jane Goodall. This explains why she was among the people in the front rows when Goodall – who is revered as one of the top female and top 10 overall scientists of all time – presented on campus in March as part of the CMU Speaker Series. Though she has seen Goodall speak before, Baker was invited to attend the informal question-and-answer session Goodall had with selected CMU students before the main event. "I couldn't believe she was standing four feet away from me," says Baker, who plans to attend graduate school and pursue a Ph.D. in evolutionary anthropology. "It was definitely the highlight of my CMU career." Center's McGuirk Arena to hear Goodall share invaluable stories of her experiences and stress the importance of people "making a difference." Nearly 5,000 people filled the CMU Events In July 1960, Goodall began her landmark study of chimpanzee behavior in what is now Tanzania. Her work at Gombe Stream became the foundation of future Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall visits campus primatological research and redefined the relationship between humans and animals. In her presentation at CMU, Goodall recognized that past generations, including her own, have compromised the planet but expressed her hope that the youth can make a difference today. "Every single day, every single one of us makes a difference," said Goodall, who also is a U.N. Messenger of Peace. "We have a choice on what difference we are going to make." To help facilitate making a difference, Goodall in 1991 founded Roots & Shoots. Through Roots & Shoots, young people from preschool through college work with youth leaders and adult mentors to gain a better understanding of the issues and challenges that affect their immediate community, as well as the world at large. The CMU Speaker Series is charged with bringing speakers of international prestige and broad intellectual interest to the university and surrounding community, according to Anna Monfils, a biology faculty member and Speaker Series chair. "Jane Goodall's message of hope is timely and appropriate, and her global perspective on conservation and humanitarian issues can provide valuable insights to the university community," Monfils says. •