Some students do more than just try to do well academically. Some are trying to help tackle society's most pressing problems.

A March 7 forum in the Founders Room of Anabel Taylor Hall recognized 35 such students, who were nominated by faculty members as "Cornell changemakers" -- people who are working to make a difference internationally.

The event was part of the Ashoka Changemaker Campus Initiative. Ashoka, a global association of social entrepreneurs, launched the Campus Changemaker Initiative in the fall to use universities as incubators for social change. It has forged a yearlong partnership with Cornell, Johns Hopkins, George Mason and the University of Maryland to improve the potential of universities and the students, faculty and staff to make change.

Sarah Long, for example, spoke of helping to plan and implement a water system improvement project for the town of Bimbilla in northern Ghana. "It was great working with people who were so motivated and very passionate despite their rough circumstances," said the graduate engineering student to the group.

Alma Aldrich '10 spoke of recently leading a service-learning trip to Ghana to provide bed nets to protect people from malaria. Chethan Sarabu '08 talked about serving as an architect of a sustainable community in India; Kobbina Awuah '09 talked about building a computer laboratory in Ghana; and Shane Rothermel '10 talked of creating solar ovens for developing countries.

"We hope to promote and inspire a cross-disciplinary culture of transformative action and community engagement," says Jessica Prue '09, a student leader with the project, which is supported by President David Skorton.

Teams of faculty, staff and students from each school are creating a plan to strengthen social entrepreneurship teaching, research and student engagement.

The forum also addressed how to develop a compelling story to interest potential funders, how to find resources and grants, and how to build community among the activists in attendance, some of whom have started their own nongovernmental organizations.

The Changemakers initiative also seeks to ignite social innovation, creativity and problem solving through inspired teaching; and to strengthen the effectiveness of students who want to be part of the solution to pressing social problems while on campus and after they graduate.

Anke Wessels, executive director of Cornell's Center for Transformative Action, leads the Cornell Ashoka team. Mark Milstein, director of the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise at the Johnson School, is also participating.

Graduate student Marcus Walter is a writer intern at the Cornell Chronicle.