Story and source ideas for journalists

Wind turbines
Energy storage, the subject of a Nov. 19 event, is key to expanding renewable energy use.

11/18/2019

Nov. 18, 2019

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

This is a notice of upcoming events, photo opportunities and story ideas at UMass Lowell. In case of inclement weather, call UMass Lowell’s weather hotline at 978-934-2121; if the university is closed, all on-campus events are canceled. For more, visit www.uml.edu/pressroom.

Sources of the week

UMass Lowell faculty experts are available to discuss:

  • The holiday retail outlook and whether Black Friday is still the most important sales day of the year;
  • “Frozen 2” and the allure of the blockbuster movie franchise as the sequel opens in theaters this week.

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

Leaders Delve into Future of Energy in Mass.

When and where: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell

What: “The Role of Energy Storage in Our Carbon-Free Future” will unite leaders from business, education, government and research to discuss the state of energy storage in Massachusetts. Speakers at the event, presented in partnership with the Associated Industries of Massachusetts Foundation, are scheduled to include state Rep. Tom Golden, chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy; Commissioner of Energy Resources Judith Judson; Greentown Labs CEO Emily Reichert; Robert Rio, AIM senior vice president of government affairs; and UMass Lowell faculty including Prof. Christopher Niezrecki, director of the university’s Center for Wind Energy. Members of the public who would like to attend should visit http://bit.ly/2CGvMMs to register.

Native American Culture Explored at Free Authors Event

When and where: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 4 p.m. O’Leary Library Learning Commons Mezzanine, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell

What: “Dawnland Voices: A Conversation with Indigenous Women Writers” will feature award-winning poets Suzanne Rancourt and Cheryl Savageau at a free event for the campus and community. Rancourt is a member of the Abenaki Bear Clan and a military veteran, while Savageau, an artist of French and Abenaki descent, has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Both authors will discuss their creative process and how their work reflects issues faced by Native Americans. Free parking will be available in the nearby Wilder Lot. To register or for more information, members of the public should contact multicultural_affairs@uml.edu.

Strategies for Crowdfunding Startups to be Shared at Forum

When and where: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m. UMass Lowell Innovation Hub, Harbor Place, 2 Merrimack St., Haverhill

What: Entrepreneurs looking to tap into the power of crowdfunding to support their startups will hear from a roundtable of investors and financing experts on how to grow their ventures. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be moderated by Michael Ciuchta, an associate professor and authority on marketing and entrepreneurship who teaches in UMass Lowell’s Manning School of Business. Members of the public who would like to attend should register at https://bit.ly/2Ns62cM.

Medieval, Renaissance Music is Centerpiece of Free Concert

When and where: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 8 p.m. Durgin Hall, South Campus, 35 Wilder St., Lowell

What: Works from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras will be performed by student vocalists and instrumentalists in UMass Lowell’s Mixed Chamber Ensemble at a free concert for the campus and community. Selections will include chants written by composer Hildegard von Bingen, an aria by Giulio Caccini and “Orfeo” by Claudio Monteverdi, considered by music historians to be the first opera ever written. The ensemble will be conducted by UMass Lowell faculty member Jonathan Richter. Free parking will be available in the nearby Wilder Lot. Members of the public who would like more information should contact Paula_Telesco@uml.edu.

Philosophy and Film Series Tackles ‘Die Hard’

When and where: Monday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m. Luna Theater, Mill No. 5, Fourth Floor, 250 Jackson St., Lowell

What: Marking the 30th anniversary of its release, the action-thriller “Die Hard” starring Bruce Willis will be screened at a free event for the public. The movie features Willis as police Det. John McClane, who works to free hostages trapped in a Los Angeles high-rise on Christmas Eve. After the showing, UMass Lowell Philosophy Assistant Prof. Elvira Basevich will lead a discussion about the ethical issues raised in the film at the program, part of UMass Lowell’s “Philosophy and Film” series. Members of the public who would like more information should visit https://lunalowell.com.