Actress Sigourney Weaver and TV commentator Steve Kroft to discuss life sciences at SU’s ‘Day of Discovery’ April 26

Actress Sigourney Weaver and TV commentator Steve Kroft to discuss life sciences at SU’s ‘Day of Discovery’ April 26April 19, 2006Carol K. Masiclatclkim@syr.edu

As part of the April 26 “Day of Discovery: A Life Sciences Celebration and Site Dedication Ceremony” at Syracuse University, The College of Arts and Sciences presents “A Conversation With Sigourney Weaver, Facilitated by Steve Kroft,” the keynote address and culminating event of the day. The program, which is free and open to the public, addresses the importance of advanced scientific research. It will take place at 8 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

The Day of Discovery is a series of events dedicated to celebrating the life sciences at SU: biology, chemistry and biochemistry. The Life Sciences Complex, SU’s most ambitious construction project to date, will unite the disciplines under one roof for the first time in the University’s history.

“When it opens in 2008, the complex will provide advanced laboratories and classrooms that are essential to scientific research, and for educating a new generation of health professionals, scientists and citizens,” says Weaver. “The work that will be done there, such as cell signaling research, will be vital to finding cures for cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and heart disease–the number one killer of women.”

Weaver is a supporter of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign, which promotes heart disease awareness, health education and risk factor prevention, including smoking cessation, weight maintenance, blood pressure control and blood cholesterol management. She joined “Go Red for Women” this year.

Weaver will be introduced by Kroft, ’71 (left), a member of the SU Board of Trustees and editor and co-anchor of the CBS News magazine “60 Minutes.” After the keynote address, Kroft will conduct an informal question and answer session with Weaver, which will also be open to the audience. Seating is limited. Paid parking is available in visitor lots and garages.

Over a career spanning nearly three decades, Weaver has created a host of memorable characters, both dramatic and comic, in film and theater, ranging from Ripley in “Alien” (1979) to Dian Fossey in “Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey” (1988) to Tawny in “Galaxy Quest” (1999) and most recently the title character in the A.R. Gurney play “Mrs. Farnsworth” at The Flea Theater in New York City.

In 1979, Weaver starred in Ridley Scott’s blockbuster science fiction film “Alien.” She reprised the role of Warrant Officer Ripley in James Cameron’s “Aliens” (1986), for which she earned a Best Actress Academy Award nomination, and in David Fincher’s “Aliens 3” (1992), which she also co-produced. In 1997, Weaver brought Ripley back to life in “Alien Resurrection” for director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. That year, she joined the ensemble of Ang Lee’s critically acclaimed film “The Ice Storm,” playing alongside Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Elijah Wood and Christina Ricci. Her performance garnered her a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe nomination and a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Best Supporting Actress. In 1999, she starred in “A Map of The World,” (1999) Scott Elliott’s powerful drama based on the novel by Jane Hamilton, which earned her universal critical praise and a Golden Globe nomination for best actress.

Born and educated in New York City, Weaver graduated from Stanford University and went on to receive a master’s degree from the Yale School of Drama.

For more information on the Life Sciences Complex or Day of Discovery, contact Rob Enslin at rmenslin@syr.edu or 443-3403. All media queries for Weaver should be directed to Tom Gagnon, The Lavin Agency at (800) 762-4234, ext. 301, or tgagnon@thelavinagency.com.