Story and Source Ideas for Journalists
10/24/2016
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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.
Sources of the week
UMass Lowell faculty experts are available to discuss:
- The vulnerabilities that led to last week’s massive disruption of Internet services and how these problems can be fixed;
- The legacy and contributions to the progressive movement of social activist and lawmaker Tom Hayden, who died on Sunday;
- How early voting affects the strategies of the Clinton and Trump presidential campaigns.
Contact UMass Lowell media relations if you need an expert source on any subject.
Early Voters to Cast Ballots at UMass Lowell
Career Fair Jump-Starts Students’ Professional Lives
Peace Institute Speaker Looks at Changing Role of Women in Islamic World
UMass Lowell Hosts Information Session on Business Ph.D. Program
Open House Welcomes Prospective Undergraduate Students
Cybersecurity Event Spotlights Successes, Challenges in Field
Robotics Expert to Discuss Her Career Path, Research
Presidential Election Forum Examines Challenges of Historic 2016 Race
Acclaimed UMass Lowell Faculty Writers Share Their Work
VoteEarly Voters to Cast Ballots at UMass Lowell
When: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 4 to 8 p.m.
What: For the first time, Massachusetts is offering early voting, which allows voters to cast their ballots in advance of the general election. For those registered in Lowell, locations include UMass Lowell’s University Crossing student center. In addition to president, the ballot includes U.S. representative, state senator and representatives and Middlesex County sheriff, as well as referendum questions on issues such as legalizing marijuana for recreational use for adults and the expansion of charter schools. The university is providing the service in partnership with the city of Lowell’s Election and Census Commission.
Where: University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell. Public parking is available in a metered lot across the street or along Father Morissette Boulevard.
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
CareerCareer Fair Jump-Starts Students’ Professional Lives
When: Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2 to 5 p.m.
What: UMass Lowell’s Fall Career Fair will bring 200 employers together with 1,500 students looking for jobs after graduation or to build on their academic studies through professional internships and co-ops. The UMass Lowell Career Services and Cooperative Education Center prepares students to enter the professional world with skills and confidence. Many recruiters from companies such as Draper Laboratory, Kronos Inc. and Putnam Investments are alumni who return to campus because they know the quality of a UMass Lowell education. A survey of UMass Lowell’s bachelor’s degree recipients found that less than a year after graduating, 95 percent were either employed full time or pursuing an advanced degree. Those available for interviews by the media include UMass Lowell career counselors, alumni who are recruiters and students seeking jobs, including Steffan Jackson, a business administration major from Stoughton who wants to pursue technology sales after he graduates in May; Olivia Phillips, a computer engineering major from Lexington looking for an internship to help her prepare for a career as a hardware engineer; and Zachary Traverso, a mechanical engineering major from Townsend who wants to land a co-op or internship to gain professional experience in his field of choice before graduation. NOTE: The event is not open to the public but the media is invited to cover it.
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
MorsePeace Institute Speaker Looks at Changing Role of Women in Islamic World
When: Thursday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
What: Palwasha Kakar, senior program officer of religion and inclusive societies at the United States Institute of Peace – an independent nonpartisan institution that works to increase the nation’s capacity to manage international conflict without violence – will lead a program about the evolving role of women in the Islamic world. An Afghan-American, Kakar’s research examines the influence of religion, gender and security on women’s empowerment and participation in local government. The event is this year’s installment of the lecture series named for F. Bradford Morse, the former U.S. congressman and United Nations administrator who began his political career as a member of the Lowell City Council.
Where: O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 270, 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
ManningUMass Lowell Hosts Information Session on Business Ph.D. Program
When: Thursday, Oct. 27, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
What: Professionals who want to find out more about UMass Lowell’s doctoral program in business administration will participate in a free open house presented by the university’s Manning School of Business. The Ph.D. program is designed for individuals seeking an advanced degree to enhance their professional or academic credentials. The program offers concentrations in accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, leadership and organization studies and management information systems. The event will also allow participants to meet with faculty and students and learn about the Pulichino Tong Business Center, which will become the Manning School’s new home in early 2017. Members of the public who would like more information should email Yi_Yang@uml.edu.
Where: Alumni Hall, North Campus, 84 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
AdmissionsOpen House Welcomes Prospective Undergraduate Students
When: Sunday, Oct. 30. Exhibits, resource fair, financial-aid workshops – 9 to 11:30 a.m. Academic presentations and campus tours – 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What: Prospective students interested in UMass Lowell will learn about the university’s more than 100 undergraduate programs and campus life – including housing and dining options – during an admissions open house. Exhibits, a resource fair, financial aid workshops, academic presentations and campus tours will provide participants with all the information they need; faculty, staff, students and alumni will also be available to discuss the university community. U.S. News & World Report first named UMass Lowell a top-tier national university in 2010 and since then, it has climbed 31 spots – from No. 183 to No. 152 – the second-fastest rise in the nation. The publication also ranks the university among the top 78 public institutions in the nation. The Chronicle of Higher Education ranks UMass Lowell as the ninth fastest-growing public doctoral institution in the country. Members of the public interested in attending the event should register by emailing admissions@uml.edu or calling 978-934-3931.
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
CyberCybersecurity Event Spotlights Successes, Challenges in Field
When: Monday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m.
What: Kevin Swindon, supervisory special agent for the FBI’s Boston office, will discuss cybersecurity threats across the region as part of a conference dedicated to how to counter such problems. New England Cybersecurity Awareness Day at UMass Lowell will bring together law-enforcement officials and security professionals from private industry and higher education to discuss best practices and challenges. Topics will include last year’s legal standoff between Apple Inc. and the FBI over access to an iPhone used by a suspected terrorist and understanding hackers’ business models. The U.S. National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security recently designated UMass Lowell as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. The honor recognizes the work of UMass Lowell’s Internet Security and Forensics Education and Research (iSAFER) team to protect the nation’s infrastructure, along with the university’s intensive cybersecurity research and academic programs. The conference is presented by the UMass President’s Office and UMass Lowell.
Where: University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket 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
RoboticsRobotics Expert to Discuss Her Career Path, Research
When: Tuesday, Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m.
What: Internationally respected robotics expert Holly Yanco, a UMass Lowell computer science professor, will present a free program about her career path and research for the public and campus, in order to help inspire others to pursue work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Yanco directs the New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation Center at UMass Lowell – one of the nation’s most advanced robotics testing facilities – and founded the campus’ Robotics Lab. In 2015, she was named a Distinguished University Professor, the highest accolade bestowed by UMass Lowell on a faculty member for outstanding contributions in teaching, research and service to the university. The event is the first this year in UMass Lowell’s 50/50 Lecture Series, which promotes scientists’ research and explores the decisions they made in order to cultivate fulfilling professional lives. The event is presented by UMass Lowell’s Center for Women and Work, Francis College of Engineering and Kennedy College of Sciences.
Where: Alumni Hall, North Campus, 84 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
ElectionPresidential Election Forum Examines Challenges of Historic 2016 Race
When: Tuesday, Nov. 1, 4 p.m.
What: The forum “Election 2016: The Challenge” will explore how the presidential race has tested political scientists’ and voters’ understanding of the political process and rules of engagement. Open to the public and campus, the free event will look at the campaigns of Hillary Clinton, the first woman presidential nominee of a major party, and Republican Donald Trump, who has defied expectations at every turn. The forum will feature Marjorie Connelly, a senior fellow with the Associated Press-National Opinion Research Center (NORC) Center for Public Affairs Research and political scientist Jeffrey Berry, who will discuss how researchers, pollsters and voters are faring this election season. The event’s presenters include the UMass Lowell Center for Public Opinion, which conducts independent, nonpartisan public opinion polls on politics and social issues that provide students and faculty with real-world academic and research opportunities. The center has conducted two polls this month on Election 2016, the results of which are available at www.uml.edu/polls.
Where: O’Leary Library Learning Commons, 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
WritersAcclaimed UMass Lowell Faculty Writers Share Their Work
When: Wednesday, Nov. 2, 5 p.m.
What: Acclaimed writers and UMass Lowell English professors Maggie Dietz and Maureen Stanton will read from their work and discuss their inspirations and creative processes during a free event for the public and university community. Dietz is the author of the poetry collections “That Kind of Happy” and “Perennial Fall,” which won the Jane Kenyon Award for Outstanding Book of Poetry. She is the former director of the national Favorite Poem Project and co-editor of three anthologies with former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky. Stanton’s book, “Killer Stuff and Tons of Money: An Insider’s Look at the World of Flea Markets, Antiques and Collecting,” won a 2012 Massachusetts Book Award in the nonfiction category. Both Dietz and Stanton have been honored with several other literary prizes and fellowships for their work. Presented by the English Department, the event is one in UMass Lowell’s Writers on Campus Series, which spotlights the work of outstanding artists each year.
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