Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

Kerouac exhibit in Allen House on UMass Lowell's South Campus
Events at UMass Lowell this week celebrate the 60th anniversary of Lowell author Jack Kerouac's "On the Road," and examine his influence. An exhibit of Kerouac's belongings is on display at the university.

10/02/2017

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. 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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.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: 

  • Monday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas – the deadliest in U.S. history with at least 50 dead and 400 wounded – and whether it is considered terrorism;
  • National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including how nanotechnology holds new promise for patients;
  • Bullying Prevention Month and what can be done to prevent and intervene in cyberbullying and other forms of the abuse.

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

Effectively Caring for Adults with Disabilities is Topic of Free Program

U.S. Marine Corps Band to Perform Dixieland Jazz Concert

Forum Looks at ‘North Korea, Nuclear Weapons and War’

Education Event Explores How to Diversify Teaching Ranks at All Levels

Programs Celebrate Lowell Author Jack Kerouac’s Legacy

Men’s Ice Hockey Home Opener Salutes Banner Season

UMass Lowell Astronomer to Provide Free Talk on Celestial Phenomena

Urban Planner Shares Work to Improve Residents’ Health

UMass Lowell Pride to Shine at River Hawk Homecoming

Memorial Reception to Honor Life of First UMass Lowell Chancellor

CARE Effectively Caring for Adults with Disabilities is Topic of Free Program

When:     Tuesday, Oct. 3, 5 to 6:30 p.m. 

What:      The legal, financial and long-term planning issues associated with caring for adults with disabilities will be the centerpiece of a program for family members, social workers and other advocates. Open to the public, the free event is presented by the UMass Lowell Center for Autism Research and Education (CARE), through which pioneering research is being done, and the university’s Disability Studies Program, along with the Massachusetts Sibling Support Network. Members of the public who would like more information or to register should visit www.uml.edu/Research/Autism/news-events/.

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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Marine U.S. Marine Corps Band to Perform Dixieland Jazz Concert

When:     Tuesday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m. 

What:      The U.S. Marine Corps “Dirty Dozens” Brass Band will perform New Orleans-style Dixieland jazz in a free concert for the campus and community. The group is one of 10 in the world in the Marine Corps Music Program. Known as “The President’s Own,” these ensembles perform for heads of state, foreign dignitaries, military leaders and the American public. The Dirty Dozens asked to perform at UMass Lowell as part of the septet’s one-time tour of the Northeast. Tickets are not required for admission to the event, which is presented by the university’s Music Department. Free parking is located in the Wilder Street lot.

 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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Korea Forum Looks at ‘North Korea, Nuclear Weapons and War’ 

When:     Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m.

What:      The Brad Morse Speaker Series program “North Korea, Nuclear Weapons and War” will explore U.S. foreign policy concerns in the wake of nuclear weapons testing by North Korea and expanded sanctions by the U.S. against the nation. The free forum for the public is the latest installment in 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. The event is presented by UMass Lowell’s Political Science Department and supported by an endowment from the Morse family. Members of the public who would like more information may visit www.uml.edu/FAHSS/Political-Science/Events.aspx.

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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Panasuk Education Event Explores How to Diversify Teaching Ranks at All Levels

When:     Thursday, Oct. 5, 4 to 7 p.m.

What:      The challenges behind providing equitable schooling for all students and the need for greater diversity in the teaching ranks will be explored at the UMass Lowell College of Education’s Panasuk Symposium on Research, Policy and Practice. The program aims to inspire participating educators and policymakers, who are expected to include Heather Peske, associate commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Now in its 22nd year, the event is named for Regina Panasuk, a UMass Lowell professor emeritus who founded the forum whose excellence in education included recognition like being named Distinguished University Professor, the highest distinction bestowed in recognition of outstanding teaching, research and contributions to UMass Lowell. Members of the public who would like to attend the free event may email Stacy_Szczesiul@uml.edu for more information.

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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Kerouac Programs Celebrate Lowell Author Jack Kerouac’s Legacy

What:      The impact of Beat Generation icon and Lowell native Jack Kerouac – whose best-known work, “On the Road” was published 60 years ago – will be the topic of two events. Presented by UMass Lowell’s Jack and Stella Kerouac Center for the Public Humanities, the programs will begin and end the weeklong “Lowell Celebrates Kerouac!” festival, which annually draws people from around the world to Lowell.

  • "Jack Kerouac: Franco-American in Lowell” – The author’s French-Canadian ancestry and how his youth in the city influenced his art will be explored in this forum led by Hassan Melehy, who has written a book on the subject. Thursday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m., O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 478, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell
  • “The Origins of Cool in Post-War America” – Kerouac’s work, along with those of his contemporaries, along with artistic contributions of actors and jazz musicians in the 1950, created a new definition of what was hip, according to author Joel Dinerstein, who will lead a conversation on the topic. Thursday, Oct. 12, 2 p.m., O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 222, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell.

Members of the public who would like more information about the university’s free programs may email Michael_Millner@uml.edu.

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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Hockey Men’s Ice Hockey Home Opener Salutes Banner Season

When:     Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m. 

What:      The UMass Lowell men’s ice hockey team will begin its quest to defend its 2017 Hockey East title when the River Hawks take on the University of New Hampshire Wildcats in the season home opener. Before the puck drops, fans will cheer on the raising of three banners to commemorate the 2016-2017 league and tournament championships and the team’s appearance in the NCAA Division I Regional Tournament. Game tickets are available at www.tsongascenter.com, by calling 866-722-8780 or in person at the box office.  

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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Astronomy UMass Lowell Astronomer to Provide Free Talk on Celestial Phenomena

When:     Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m.

What:      Magellanic Clouds, which are galaxies visible in the southern hemisphere’s skies, will be explained by UMass Lowell astronomer Prof. Silas Laycock at a free presentation as part of the Pollard Memorial Library’s “Lowell Reads” program. This year, the initiative encourages members of the community to read “The Glass Universe” by Dava Sobel. The book recounts the true story of a group of women who helped advance the field of astronomy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Weather permitting, the event will include star-gazing through telescopes. Members of the public who would like more information should call the library at 978-674-4120. 

Where:    Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St., Lowell

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

Planner Urban Planner Shares Work to Improve Residents’ Health

When:     Thursday, Oct. 12, 5 p.m.

What:      How the neighborhood where people live can affect their health will be the topic of the second Ellen Swallow Richards Annual Lecture, which focuses on breakthroughs in science and engineering, as well as efforts to solve environmental problems. This year’s program is led by urban planner Mariana Arcaya, whose research seeks ways to better design communities that enhance physical and economic well-being. The lecture is named for the first woman to attend and teach at MIT. Richards conducted groundbreaking experiments of water in Lawrence that led the city to become the first in the U.S. to filter its entire water supply to prevent disease. The event is presented by UMass Lowell Prof. Chad Montrie and is funded by a creative economy grant from the UMass President’s Office. Members of the public who would like to attend the free event should RSVP to Chad_Montrie@uml.edu

Where:    Youth Development Organization, Everett Mill, No. 563, 15 Union St., Lawrence

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

Homecoming UMass Lowell Pride to Shine at River Hawk Homecoming

When:     Thursday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 15

What:      The public is invited to celebrate UMass Lowell’s River Hawk Homecoming, an event-packed weekend that will bring generations of alumni and friends of the university to campus and inspire current students. Family-friendly activities will include:

  • “Rise Up, A Celebration of Sport” – The gala will highlight UMass Lowell’s great moments in athletics and look to the future, as the transition to the NCAA’s Division I is complete and all teams are now eligible for post-season competition. Performers are scheduled to include Nashville recording artist and UMass Lowell graduate Jilly Martin and the UMass Lowell Gospel Choir. Members of the public who wish to attend should register at http://goriverhawks.com/riseup. Thursday, Oct. 12, 5 p.m., Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 E. Merrimack St., Lowell
  • “Hawkey Way” – A fan favorite, this free outdoor festival for all ages is filled with carnival games, food, music and more. Saturday, Oct. 14, 3 to 6 p.m., Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Lowell
  • Jennifer’s Fun Run/Walk –Held annually in memory of UMass Lowell graduate Jennifer D’Amour ’98, the 5K race benefits a scholarship fund for UMass Lowell women’s cross-country and track-and-field student-athletes. To register, visit www.alumni.uml.edu/jennifersrun2017. Saturday, Oct. 14. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the race starts at noon. 

Events will also include hockey games on Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14. A full schedule is available at www.uml.edu/homecoming.

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

Hogan Memorial Reception to Honor Life of First UMass Lowell Chancellor

When:     Friday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m.

What:      Members of the UMass Lowell community will come together to remember William Hogan, the university’s first chancellor who is known as “the father of UMass Lowell.” The new William T. Hogan Scholarship Fund for Innovation and Engagement is one way UMass Lowell will continue to honor the legacy of Hogan, who passed away in July. Members of the public interested in attending the event or donating to the scholarship fund can do so at www.uml.edu/homecoming.

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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu