Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

01/27/2014

Sources of the week are available to discuss:

  • The Super Bowl’s significance in American culture and the strategies behind the high-stakes advertising during the game;
  • President Obama’s Jan. 28 State of the Union Address and his priorities for the next year of his term;
  • The Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Jan. 28 and Jan. 29 and the committee’s plans to taper bond buying;
  • The Beatles’ influence as the country marks the 50th anniversary of the band’s arrival in the U.S. on Feb. 7, 1964.

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

DifferenceMaker $25K Idea Challenge Teaches Entrepreneurship

When: Monday, Jan. 27 and Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

What: The 2014 DifferenceMaker $25,000 Idea Challenge invites UMass Lowell students and young alumni to create and present a plan for a business, service or product that addresses a need in the community. The challenge is presented by UMass Lowell’s DifferenceMaker Program, which teaches students how to be innovators by engaging them in developing real-world solutions to problems. Participants pursuing a common goal will form teams and be mentored by UMass Lowell faculty members. The challenge begins with two kickoff events on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28 and continues throughout the spring semester, culminating in pitch contests before a panel of judges in April. Prize money will help fund teams’ work on the winning projects. Two of last year’s winners have already seen success developing a new type of prosthetic limb and launching a business that offers a website streamlining options for restaurant customers. For more, visit www.uml.edu/differencemaker.

Where: Monday, Jan. 27 – Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, Perry Atrium, North Campus, 40 University Ave., Lowell; Tuesday, Jan. 28 – 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

Programs Honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy

When: Monday, Jan. 27 and Wednesday, Jan. 29

What: Just back from semester break, the UMass Lowell community will honor and advance the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quest for social equality with programs that embrace his legacy. The series will center on the topic “Until All Are Free” and is presented by the university’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. Events include:

  • MLK Celebration Dinner – Wednesday, Jan. 29, 6 to 8 p.m. Charles Desmond, chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, will be the keynote speaker at this event, which will include the presentation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Awards to representatives of UMass Lowell’s faculty, staff and student body, and the community who exemplify King’s mission and his life’s work. Cumnock Hall, North Campus, 31 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

When: Artists’ talk, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 3 p.m. Exhibit runs through Friday, Feb 14. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What: Acclaimed visual artists Elaine Bay and Raul Gonzalez III will share their artwork during a talk and the exhibit “Riding toward Ninguna Parte,” which reveals Mexican and American culture. Described as comic, dark and graphic, their pieces are influenced by sources such as Mad magazine, Japanese prints, early American folk art, and Mexican-American border culture. The show is presented by the UMass Lowell Art Department.

Where: Artists’ talk – O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 222, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell; Exhibit – University Gallery, first floor, McGauvran Student Center, South Campus, 71 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

Free Book Discussion Series Explores Lowell’s History

When: Tuesday, Jan. 28; Thursday, Feb. 20; Tuesday, March 11 and Tuesday, April 8

What: The UMass Lowell Libraries will host a free, four-part reading and discussion series about the history of Lowell. The series, which will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 28, will feature local historians including Richard Howe Jr. and UMass Lowell professors Robert Forrant and Marie Frank, along with Librarian Martha Mayo. Each will lead discussions on books on the city’s past. The sessions will cover the books noted on the following dates:

  • “Legendary Locals of Lowell” on Tuesday, Jan. 28, led by Howe;
  • “Images of America: Lowell Vol. 1” on Thursday, Feb. 20, led by Forrant;
  • “Campus History: UMass Lowell,” on Tuesday, March 11, led by Frank;
  • “Images of America: Lowell Vol. 2” on Tuesday, April 8, led by Mayo.

Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to register in advance; those who do will receive a copy of “Legendary Locals of Lowell” by mail. Free copies of the other titles will be distributed at the program. To register, go to http://libguides.uml.edu/lowellhistory or contact Sara Marks at Sara_Marks@uml.edu. Support for the series is provided by the UMass Lowell Center for Arts and Ideas.

Where: Sessions on Tuesday, Jan. 28 and Tuesday, March 11 will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at O’Leary Library Learning Commons, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell. Sessions on Thursday, Feb. 20 and Tuesday, April 8 will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 at 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 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Movie Night Features ‘The Devil Wears Prada’

When: Thursday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m.

What: As excitement builds for Meryl Streep’s visit to UMass Lowell on Wednesday, Feb. 5, a free screening of the movie “The Devil Wears Prada” will be open to the public. Starring Academy Award winners Streep and Anne Hathaway, the 2006 film tells the story of a naïve, young career woman (Hathaway) and her dealings with her ruthless boss (Streep) in New York City’s high-fashion industry. Actors Emily Blunt, Adrian Grenier and Stanley Tucci co-star. The event is presented by UMass Lowell’s Film Club and Office of Student Activities and Leadership.

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

‘A Conversation with Meryl Streep’ Brings Acclaimed Actress to Campus

When: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m.

What: “A Conversation with Meryl Streep” will feature the legendary actress discussing her career – which has spanned five decades and more than 100 roles – with bestselling author Andre Dubus III, a faculty member in UMass Lowell’s English Department. Streep, who holds the record for the most Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations, is also expected to take questions from the audience. Through this event – the second in the Chancellor’s Speaker Series – Streep will establish two scholarship funds for UMass Lowell students, one in her name for outstanding English students and the other in the name of Joan Hertzberg, a former classmate, for those who excel at math. The scholarships will be endowed with all net proceeds from Streep’s appearance at UMass Lowell.

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

Lenny Clarke Headlines Comedy Series in Lowell

When: Friday, Feb. 7, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.)

What: Funnyman Lenny Clarke will bring his stand-up show to Lowell as part of this new Comedy Night series. Born in Boston, Clarke is a comedian, writer and actor best known for his work on “The John Larroquette Show” and the films “Rounders” and “Me, Myself and Irene.” The show will include refreshments for purchase and a cash bar. Tickets for Clarke’s show are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. To reserve tickets, call 978-934-6920. For more information about the series, visit www.uml.edu/icc.

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 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Leaders Gather to Develop Student Service Opportunities

When: Thursday, Feb. 13, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

What: UMass Lowell faculty and representatives of Greater Lowell’s service organizations will strengthen their partnerships during the annual Community Connections breakfast. During the networking event, participants develop existing and new service opportunities outside of the classroom for UMass Lowell students to enrich their academic studies and enhance their civic engagement. UMass Lowell students, faculty and staff donate more than 120,000 hours in the community every year. The university was named to the President’s Higher Education Honor Roll for Community Service for the fourth year in a row in 2013 and holds the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s designation of community-engaged campus.

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

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