DANBURY, Conn. — An archeologist and art historian who has devoted her professional life to the culture of ancient Greece will visit Western Connecticut State University to discuss the work that earned her a reputation as an internationally recognized authority on the Parthenon.
Dr. Jenifer Neils, director of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, will present a lecture on “The Parthenon: Then and Now,” at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, in Room 125 of the Science Building on the WCSU Midtown campus, 181 White St., Danbury.
Neils will speak as part of “Macricostas Experience Week” at the university in honor of local industrialist and philanthropist Deno Macricostas who, with his family, donated more than $4 million over several years to support student scholarship.
Before moving to Athens in 2017, Neils was a professor at Case Western Reserve University and a curator of ancient art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. As a field archaeologist, she excavated in northern Greece and in Italy. She has written extensively on the Parthenon sculptures, Athenian vase painting and iconography.
Neils earned a bachelor’s degree at Bryn Mawr College and her Ph.D. from Princeton University.
“Dr. Neils is the type of scholar we work hard to bring to WCSU,” said Dr. Michelle Brown, dean of the Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences. “Our students will learn much from her extensive experience and scholarship, and we are happy to be able to open her lecture to the public, as well.”
Later that day, at 5 p.m., Dr. Chris Paone, the WCSU Macricostas Scholar, will preside over a presentation of traditional Greek food and wine that will be served during a concert of folk music at the patio and lobby of Higgins Hall, also on the Midtown campus.
Both events are free and open to the public. Registration is requested by Thursday, Oct. 17, at wcsu.edu/giving events. Parking is available at the WCSU garages on White Street and on Fifth Avenue.
For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.
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