‘Day of Discovery’ a Day to Remember
Close to a thousand people turned out April 26, 2006, for Day of Discovery, a celebration of the Life Sciences at Syracuse University that culminated with the site dedication of the $107 million Life Sciences Complex. Alumni and friends of the University came from as far away as Florida and California to engage with students, faculty members, and staff, as well as a stellar lineup of guest speakers including actress Sigourney Weaver and 60 Minutes commentator Steve Kroft ’71.
 |
| Scientific American editor John Rennie (far left) moderated a Day of Discovery symposium comprised of (left to right) Peter J. Bruns ’64, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; A. Lynn Bolles ’71, University of Maryland; Patrick White, Association of American Universities; Elsa Reichmanis ’72, G’75, Bell Laboratories; and Donald Kennedy, Science magazine editor/Stanford University. The symposium can be viewed at here. |
The celebration included a panel discussion titled “Science Report Card: Can the United States Stay at the Head of the Class?,” moderated by John Rennie, editor in chief of Scientific American; the outdoor site dedication; and a keynote address about the importance of advanced scientific research with Weaver and Kroft.
 |
| SU Chancellor Nancy Cantor (far left) with then Arts and Sciences Dean Cathryn Newton and Jack and Laura Milton at the site dedication. |
Among the day’s highlights was the announcement of two major gifts: $6 million Jack and Laura Milton, both from the class of ’51, for the atrium connecting the Life Sciences Complex with the Center for Science and Technology, and $5 million from New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli ’70, G’73 for the construction of the RESTORE Center for Environmental Biotechnology, housed in the complex.
Day of Discovery also featured two behind-the-scenes celebrations: one showcasing student and faculty research and one honoring the WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) Program.