Story and Source Ideas for Journalists
02/06/2017
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. In case of inclement weather, call UMass Lowell’s weather hotline at 978-934-2121; if the university is closed, events are canceled. For more news 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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.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:
- What Super Bowl advertisers were trying to accomplish with their commercials, which featured a range of messages from diversity and inclusion to political satire;
- From Apple to Uber, what’s at stake for companies that have joined the legal fight against President Trump’s immigration ban;
- What is says about relationships when Valentine’s Day expectations for romance don’t match reality.
Contact UMass Lowell media relations if you need an expert source on any subject.
Literary Scholar to Discuss Poe’s Impact on Portuguese Culture
Priceless Books, Acclaimed Memoir They Inspired Are Centerpiece of Event
University Orchestra Performs Free Valentine’s Day Concert
Cultural Exchange Brings International High-School Teachers to Campus
Biomedical Pioneer Describes Research, Career at Presentation
Aerospace Engineer Shares Flight Path in Alumni Showcase Series
Entrepreneur Bringing Solar Power to India to Lead Talk on Sustainability
Poe Literary Scholar to Discuss Poe’s Impact on Portuguese Culture
When: Wednesday, Feb. 8, 12:30 p.m.
What: American author Edgar Allan Poe’s influence on 20th century Portuguese culture will be explored at a free event for the campus and community. Leading the program “Around Reason, Feeling” will be University of Lisbon Prof. Margarida Dale de Gato, whose work includes editing an anthology of Poe’s work transcribed into Portuguese. The event is organized by the Saab-Pedroso Center for Portuguese Culture and Research and the Jack and Stella Kerouac Center for the Public Humanities, both of which are based at UMass Lowell.
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
KaagEVENT POSTPONED, NEW DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED - Priceless Books, Acclaimed Memoir They Inspired Are Centerpiece of Event
When: Thursday, Feb. 9, 4 to 6 p.m.
What: A cache of priceless books, the memoir they inspired and how they transformed UMass Lowell Philosophy Prof. John Kaag’s life will be the centerpiece of a free event for the public and university community. Winning raves from the New York Times, National Public Radio and others, Kaag’s “American Philosophy: A Love Story” recounts his discovery of the Hocking Collection – rare editions of works penned by history’s greatest philosophers – and how his efforts led to UMass Lowell becoming the permanent home to more than 100 of the texts. The program will include a reading and book-signing by Kaag, a discussion of the extraordinary volumes in the Hocking Collection and a chance to see some of them, along with a question-and-answer session and reception.
Where: Allen House, South Campus, 2 Solomont 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
ValentineUniversity Orchestra Performs Free Valentine’s Day Concert
When: Friday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m.
What: Romance will be in the air when the University Orchestra presents a free Valentine’s Day concert for the campus and community. Selections during the performance will include classical works such as Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” and “Overture to Nabucco” by Giuseppe Verdi. The ensemble will be directed by UMass Lowell Music Department faculty member Mark Latham.
Where: Durgin Hall, South Campus, 35 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
TEACultural Exchange Brings International High-School Teachers to Campus
When: Tuesday Feb. 14, 10:30 a.m. to noon
What: High-school teachers from 20 countries will offer insights into their educational systems during the free presentation “Education Around the World,” open to the campus and community. The teachers are visiting UMass Lowell for six weeks as part of the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA). Through the initiative, participants develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their teaching skills and gain field experience in local schools. Participants will be paired with teachers in Chelmsford and Andover to collaborate in the classroom and exchange best practices. The TEA program is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of State secured by A.J. Angulo, a professor in UMass Lowell’s Graduate School of Education, which is hosting participants.
Where: O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Mezzanine, 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
50Biomedical Pioneer Describes Research, Career at Presentation
When: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 3:30 p.m.
What: Pioneering chemical engineer Robert Langer – who develops plastics for use in tissue engineering and drug-delivery systems for patients – will talk about his work and his career during the presentation “Biomaterials and Biotechnology.” Free and open to the public, the event is one in the university’s 50/50 Lecture Series, which promotes scientists’ research and explores their professional choices. The event is presented by the UMass Lowell Center for Women and Work, which studies the relationship between gender and work and challenges inequalities in the workplace and society.
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
AlumAerospace Engineer Shares Flight Path in Alumni Showcase Series
When: Thursday, Feb. 16, 4 p.m.
What: The program “How to Rocket Your Career in Engineering” will be presented by Kim Kinsley, vice president of operations at United Technologies Aerospace Systems. Kinsley earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in plastics engineering at UMass Lowell before joining the company, which designs and manufactures components for commercial, private and military aircraft. She will share her path to success during the event, part of the university’s Alumni Leadership Series. Members of the public who wish to attend the free program are encouraged to pre-register at www.alumni.uml.edu/EngineeringShowcase or by calling 978-934-3140.
Where: Lydon Library, Room 110, 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
LightEntrepreneur Bringing Solar Power to India to Lead Talk on Sustainability
When: Friday, Feb. 17, 2 p.m.
What: Social entrepreneur Harish Hande – a UMass Lowell graduate who has pioneered access to solar electricity for more than half a million people in India – will talk about how technology can advance sustainable energy solutions at a free program for the campus and community. Co-founder of Solar Electric Light Co. (SELCO) India, Hande earned a master’s degree in renewable energy engineering and a doctorate in mechanical engineering with a concentration in energy at UMass Lowell. He is the recipient of the 2011 Magsaysay Award, widely considered Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. In 2013, UMass Lowell awarded him with an honorary doctorate of humane letters for his accomplishments. Members of the public who would like to attend are asked to RSVP to www.uml.edu/engineering/mechanical/forms/form.aspx.
Where: Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, North Campus, 40 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