Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

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Howard Bauchner, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association, will talk about the well-being of the U.S. health-care system during a Lunchtime Lecture event to be held on Monday, Sept. 21 at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center.

09/14/2015

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/pressroom. Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication unless otherwise noted.

Sources of the week
UMass Lowell faculty experts are available to discuss:

  • Why convicted mobster Whitey Bulger – the subject of a new film that opens Tuesday – continues to fascinate the public;
  • If the U.S. Constitution – which turns 228 years old on Thursday – allows for Rowan County, Kentucky clerk Kim Davis to opt out of authorizing same-sex marriage licenses;
  • Whether the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this week and what that might mean for the economy.

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

Award-Winning Playwright Shares Success with Students
Electric Cars Rev their Engines at Event
Senior Citizens Go Back to School at UMass Lowell
Reebok Leader Shows How Corporations Can Do Well by Doing Good
Marriage Equality’s Ramifications Topic of Constitution Day Program
Leading Medical Journal Editor Diagnoses U.S. Health Care System


Award-Winning Playwright Shares Success with Studentsplaywright

When: Monday, Sept. 14, 5:30 p.m.

What: Award-winning playwright and performer Benjamin Scheuer – the creative force behind his one-man show “The Lion” now at Merrimack Repertory Theatre – will talk about his work with UMass Lowell theatre arts students and faculty during this event. “The Lion,” which chronicles Scheuer’s sometimes stormy relationship with his father, is a Best New Musical and Drama Desk Award honoree. Performed off Broadway in New York and in London, the show will embark on a national tour after its run at MRT ends. Scheuer’s presentation at UMass Lowell is part of the English Department’s “Theatre Lives” program, which brings successful actors, writers and stagecraft professionals to campus to share their career choices with students. Note: The program is not open to the public but media may cover this event.

Where: O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 478, 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

Electric Cars Rev their Engines at Eventelectric

When: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

What: As a leader in climate education, UMass Lowell promotes ways to achieve carbon neutrality on campus and improve the environment throughout the region. As part of Commuter Appreciation Week, the Office of Sustainability will talk about UMass Lowell’s new electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations on its South, North and East campuses and display electric cars from BMW, Volkswagen, Nissan, Chevrolet and Tesla, some of which will be available for test drives. The event is presented in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Plug In America, a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of electric vehicles.

Where: Solomont Way, South Campus, Lowell

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

Senior Citizens Go Back to School at UMass Lowellseniors

When: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 9:30 a.m.

What: More than 125 senior citizens who are members of the Learning in Retirement Association will open their academic year with their own convocation ceremony at UMass Lowell. LIRA members are staying active by participating in learning groups that delve into topics spanning literature, world history, current events, politics, art and music. Members also attend field trips to museums, concerts and other cultural attractions. Paul Marion, UMass Lowell’s executive director of community and cultural affairs, will offer keynote remarks during the event. Marion is a published author and poet.

Where: Cumnock Hall auditorium, 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

Reebok Leader Shows How Corporations Can Do Well by Doing Goodreebok

When: Thursday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m.

What: What is corporate social responsibility? Why is it becoming an integral part of business practices? How does it attract both customers and dedicated employees? Kathleen Tullie, director of social responsibility at Reebok International, will talk about these issues and her work as the founder and executive director of Build Our Kids’ Success (BOKS), a physical exercise and healthy nutrition program for children run by parents, teachers and volunteers. Tullie launched the program in Natick in 2009. Reebok, headquartered in Canton, was so impressed the company now administers the initiative through its nonprofit foundation. Today, BOKS is run at more than 1,500 schools around the world.

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

Marriage Equality’s Ramifications Topic of Constitution Day Programmarriage

When: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2 p.m.

What: As the national debate continues over whether Rowan County, Kentucky clerk Kim Davis can refuse to authorize same-sex marriage licenses, UMass Lowell will present a program to examine the effect of the Supreme Court’s ruling in support of marriage equality. Stephen Wasby, a nationally acclaimed author and expert on the First Amendment and civil liberties, will discuss the federal changes and other ramifications triggered by the decision. He’ll also talk about how other court rulings from the 2015 spring term share similar themes. A question-and-answer session will follow. Observed annually on Sept. 17, Constitution Day commemorates the signing in 1787; to mark the significance of this act each year, UMass Lowell presents a Constitution Day program for the campus and community that examines the document’s development and influence.

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

Leading Medical Journal Editor Diagnoses U.S. Health Care Systemmedical

When: Monday, Sept. 21, 11:45 a.m.

What: The well-being of U.S. health care will be explored by Dr. Howard Bauchner, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association, during a Lunchtime Lectures event that is free and open to the public. Bauchner will discuss emerging policy issues as the country nears the second anniversary of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which some refer to as “Obamacare,” that mandates health insurance for all Americans. The Lunchtime Lectures series is presented by UMass Lowell and the Moses Greeley Parker Lectures with support from community and campus partners.

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