Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

11/05/2013

This is a notice of upcoming events, photo opportunities and story ideas at UMass Lowell, compiled by the Office of University Relations, 978-934-3224. For more stories about UMass Lowell, visit www.uml.edu and click on “Media” at the top of the page. Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.

Sources of the week are available to discuss:

  • Voter turnout, trends in municipal races and the nature of non-partisan elections;
  • The Boston mayoral race;
  • How to handle stressful situations at Thanksgiving gatherings.

Contact UMass Lowell media relations if you need an expert source on any subject.

TOP

Veterans Flag-Raising Pays Tribute to Veterans’ Service and Sacrifices

When: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 11:30 a.m.

What: A flag-raising ceremony will pay tribute to UMass Lowell’s more than 1,450 student veterans, 2013 Veterans Alumni Hall of Fame inductees and veterans throughout the region. Inductees include university alumni for whom the city’s Textile Memorial Bridge was rededicated in 1947 to honor their ultimate sacrifice in action during World War II. The bridge is being replaced with a new bridge across University Avenue. Speakers are scheduled to include U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan, Massachusetts National Guard Col. Francis Magurn and Navy veteran Pamela DeHollander of Chelmsford, president of UMass Lowell’s Student Veterans Organization.

Where: Cumnock Hall, North Campus, 31 University Ave., Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

TOP

Software Software Company to Donate $3M to UMass Lowell Lab

When: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2 p.m.

What: UMass Lowell will officially accept the donation of $3 million in software and $10,000 toward lab renovations from a national software company with operations in New England. The newly remodeled lab will be renamed in honor of the company, which will have representatives present, along with university officials.

Where: Ball Hall, North Campus, 185 Riverside St., Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

TOP

Wage Graduates Participate in Salary Negotiation Workshop

When: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m.

What: Evelyn Murphy, the former lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, will lead a salary negotiation workshop for graduates of UMass Lowell in her role as president of the WAGE (Women Are Getting Even) Project, a national grassroots organization devoted to ending pay discrimination against working women. The session will cover negotiations for women employees of corporations, nonprofits and government agencies.

Where: UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

TOP

Faculty Faculty Share Best Teaching, Learning Methods

When: Thursday, Nov. 7, 3 to 6:30 p.m.

What: What’s a “flipped classroom?” How can social media improve learning? Which first-year classes make the grade? UMass Lowell faculty and staff will come together to discuss these issues and share innovative teaching methods during the first Teaching and Learning Symposium. Faculty from each of the university’s six colleges will be represented and will be recognized for their work to improve students’ learning experiences. Speakers are scheduled to include UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan, Executive Vice Chancellor Jacqueline Moloney and Charlotte Mandell, vice provost for undergraduate education. The conference is presented by UMass Lowell’s Committee on Transformational Education.

Where: UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

TOP

Ireland Former President of Ireland to Receive Honorary Degree

When: Friday, Nov. 8, 6:15 p.m.

What: Former president of the Republic of Ireland Mary McAleese will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters from UMass Lowell. McAleese was the first person born in Northern Ireland to hold the office. The distinction contributed to her focus on the peace process and reconciliation during her two terms in office from 1997 to 2011. The ceremony will include a procession of UMass Lowell faculty members and, along with McAleese, speakers including UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan and Executive Vice Chancellor Jacqueline Moloney. The ceremony will be held during a reception in McAleese’s honor presented by UMass Lowell’s Center for Irish Partnerships and the Lowell Irish Cultural Committee. Note: The ceremony is limited to the university community but the media may cover the event.

Where: UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

TOP

Marathon River Hawks Honor Marathon Bombing Victims, Survivors, Responders

When: Saturday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m.

What: UMass Lowell will honor the victims, survivors and first responders of the Boston Marathon bombings during “River Hawk Strong Night” at the Division I men’s ice hockey game between UMass Lowell and Northeastern University’s Huskies. Marathon survivors Celeste and Sydney Corcoran of Lowell, Karen Rand of Somerville and Roseann Sdoia of Dracut, a UMass Lowell graduate, will drop the ceremonial first puck. They will be joined on the ice by first responders.

Where: Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

TOP

Portuguese Author Traces Heritage at Portuguese Center Event

When: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m.

What: Author Joseph Conforti will discuss his book, “Another City Upon a Hill: A New England Memoir” at an event presented by the Saab-Pedroso Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture at UMass Lowell and the university’s Center for Arts and Ideas. The book is both a personal reflection on Conforti’s family – three generations of Italian- and Portuguese-Americans making their way in New Bedford – and the story of the city itself, once the cotton capital of America. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations, which are required, may be made by e-mailing artsandideas@uml.edu.

Where: UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

TOP

Economy Talk Explores Relationship between Economy and Climate Policy

When: Monday, Nov. 18, noon

What: Economist and author James Boyce will present “Cooling the Planet, Clearing the Air,” an examination of climate policy, pollutants and carbon pricing. Much of Boyce’s work centers on developing strategies to lessen poverty and increase environmental protection. He is president of Econ4, which aims to improve the economics profession and the public’s understanding of how the economy works and should work. The event is one in UMass Lowell’s Fall 2013 Seminar Series, which is presented by the College of Health Sciences; College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the Economic and Social Development of Regions program; and the Center for Industrial Competitiveness.

Where: O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 222, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu