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Students at Simpson College will have an opportunity to participate in Great Ape Trust of Iowa’s world-class research in language acquisition and other cognitive studies in a collaboration between the two universities. Panbanisha is pictured here in front of the lexigram she and other bonobos at Great Ape Trust use to communicate. Photo by Steve Pope. |
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Simpson will provide renewable $10,000 scholarships, share in professor’s salary with Great Ape Trust
Des Moines, Iowa – September 27, 2007 – A relationship that has spanned more than 30 years has resulted in a partnership between Great Ape Trust of Iowa, a world-class research center in Southeast Des Moines, and Simpson College.
Dr. Duane Rumbaugh, scientist emeritus at Great Ape Trust, and Dr. Carl Halgren, professor of psychology at Simpson, began talking about a special relationship between the two entities because they saw a unique opportunity based on the strong academic tradition of Simpson College and their professional relationship. This special relationship has now been realized. It will include three components.
By agreement with Great Ape Trust of Iowa, Simpson will hire a visiting scholar for a two-year period that will begin in the 2008-2009 academic year. The visiting scholar, appointed to the Psychology Department, will have a background in primatology and psychology that enables teaching courses in primatology and several courses in psychology, conducting research with Great Ape Trust researchers, and supervising student research at Great Ape Trust of Iowa.
The Simpson partnership with Great Ape Trust of Iowa is expected to include two other components. Each year, Simpson will provide renewable $10,000 scholarships to at least two highly sought and highly qualified students each year for four years beginning in 2008. In addition, Simpson’s Halgren will serve half-time at both Simpson and at Great Ape Trust of Iowa in order to help further the partnership for years to come.
Deb Tierney, vice president for enrollment, said the relationship will open new academic opportunities for Simpson College. “This scholarship will attract highly motivated students,” Tierney said. “We are grateful to Dr. Halgren for his commitment to Simpson and to Great Ape Trust.”
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Dr. Duane Rumbaugh, scientist emeritus at Great Ape Trust of Iowa, helped forge a relationship with Simpson College. Rumbaugh is a pioneer in ape language research. Photo by Steve Pope. |
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Steve Griffith, vice president and dean of academic affairs, agreed.
"This is an exciting opportunity for students at Simpson College to engage in an unparalleled educational experience at one of the world's finest primate research institutions,” Griffith said. “In addition to the one-of-a-kind undergraduate research opportunities, someday we hope to have students from a variety of fields engaged in work with Great Ape Trust."
Great Ape Trust Background
Great Ape Trust of Iowa is a scientific research facility in southeast Des Moines dedicated to understanding the origins and future of culture, language, tools and intelligence. When completed, Great Ape Trust will be the largest great ape facility in North America and one of the first worldwide to include all four types of great ape – bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans – for noninvasive interdisciplinary studies of their cognitive and communicative capabilities.
Great Ape Trust is dedicated to providing sanctuary and an honorable life for great apes, studying the intelligence of great apes, advancing conservation of great apes and providing unique educational experiences about great apes. Great Ape Trust of Iowa is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization and is certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). To learn more about Great Ape Trust of Iowa, go to www.GreatApeTrust.org. |
Great Ape Trust is certified by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums
