NERC - New England Renaissance Conference

The cultural hub of the Merrimack Valley, Lowell is home to some of the region’s leading venues and historic landmarks. The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Lowell blends historic charm with urban energy, fueled by a jam-packed calendar of events that attract visitors from New England and beyond. These include the Lowell Folk Festival, Fireworks on the Merrimack, Winterfest, and the Jack Kerouac Literary Festival. The Lowell Spinners (Boston Red Sox minor league team) play at LeLacheur Park and the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell brings top-notch performing arts and athletic events to the city all year long.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a comprehensive university with a national reputation in science, engineering and technology, and committed to educating students for lifelong success in a diverse world and conducting research and outreach activities that sustain the economic, environmental and social health of the region. More than 14,000 students are currently enrolled in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. 

Located in the historic industrial city of Lowell, 25 miles northwest of Boston, the campus spans more than 125 acres along the Merrimack River. The University began as the Lowell Normal School, founded in 1894 to prepare students to become teachers, and the Lowell Textile School, founded in 1895 to train technicians and managers for the textile industry. Over the next 75 years, both institutions extended their offerings to meet the growing needs of the region. Lowell State and Lowell Tech, as they were then known, merged in 1975 to form the University of Lowell. In 1991, the campus became part of the University of Massachusetts system.