Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

03/10/2014

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, all events are canceled. Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.

Sources of the week are available for discuss:

  • What it would mean for former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown to run in New Hampshire’s 2014 race for U.S. Senate;
  • The durability of bats and balls such as those used during Major League Baseball spring training;
  • Filing for the 2014 tax season.

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

Jobs Event Brings Together 140-Plus Employers, Students

When: Wednesday, March 12, 1 to 3 p.m.

What: UMass Lowell students graduating in May will be working to get a job offer to go along with their diplomas at the university’s Summer and Beyond Career Fair, which will bring them together with more than 140 top employers looking to fill full-time, internship and co-op positions. The quality and reputation of UMass Lowell students continue to draw employers to the 19th annual fair, which is filled to capacity again this year. More than 1,000 students are expected to attend to meet with representatives from a wide range of for-profit, nonprofit and government employers, including Fidelity Investments, Georgia-Pacific, IBM, iRobot, Sherwin-Williams, the U.S. Secret Service and more. The event is hosted by UMass Lowell’s Career Services and Cooperative Education Center. Note: The career fair is not open to the public but the media is invited to cover the event.

Where: UMass Lowell Campus Recreation Center, East Campus, 100 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

River Hawks Begin Run to Defend Title in Hockey East Quarterfinals

When: Friday, March 14, 7:15 p.m.; Saturday, March 15, 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 16, 4 p.m. (if necessary)

What: The No. 8-ranked UMass Lowell River Hawks will host the No. 15 University of Vermont Catamounts in the quarterfinal round of the Hockey East championships, as the River Hawks begin the team’s quest to defend its 2013 league title. All games in the best-of-three series will be played on home ice at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, marking the third consecutive year the River Hawks have earned the right to host the quarterfinal series. Tickets are available at the Tsongas Center box office, at www.tsongascenter.com or by calling 866-722-8780. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors age 65 and older and children age 12 and younger. Admission for UMass Lowell students is free with a valid student ID.

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

Women’s Appreciation Dinner Honors Students, Faculty and Staff

When: Monday, March 24, 5 to 7 p.m.

What: The fifth annual Women’s Appreciation Dinner will celebrate the contributions of UMass Lowell women students, faculty and staff members to the university community and beyond. UMass Lowell graduate Paula Alexander ’93 – who retired from Eastman Kodak Co. as its human resource director of global functions and has 35 years of experience in the field – will be the keynote speaker. The event is free and open to the public; those interested in attending are asked to register in advance to Joseph Guzman at joseph_guzman@student.uml.edu. The event is presented by UMass Lowell student group Men Achieving Leadership Excellence and Success (M.A.L.E.S.).

Where: 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

Medical-Device Innovators Vie for Share of $50,000 at Competition

When: Wednesday, March 26, 5 to 9 p.m.

What: Fifteen teams of entrepreneurs from early-stage companies will pitch their innovative ideas for new products at the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) during its New Venture Competition. Presentations will focus on new ways to address industry needs in sports medicine, joint reconstruction and trauma. The teams – which hail not only from Massachusetts but also Ireland, South Africa and other points across the globe, will compete for a share of $50,000 in in-kind services, including facilities, engineering, legal business and medical device assistance from the competition’s sponsors, Smith & Nephew, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP and M2D2, a joint initiative of University of Massachusetts Lowell and Worcester campuses.

Where: M2D2 Innovation Hub, Wannalancit Business Center, second floor, East Campus, 600 Suffolk 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

TOP

Students, Faculty Simulate Negotiation of Climate-Change Pact

When: Thursday, March 27, 4:30 to 8 p.m.

What: What does it take for world leaders to mitigate climate change? UMass Lowell students and faculty members will find out when they participate in a real-world simulation of the negotiations of an international agreement that addresses the crisis. UMass Lowell Associate Prof. Juliette Rooney-Varga, the director of the UMass Lowell Climate Change Initiative, will lead the session.

Where: Cumnock Hall, Trustees Room, 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

Free Electronic Music Concert Recreates Pink Floyd Classic

When: Thursday, March 27, 7:30 p.m.

What: Showcasing the future of electronic music, UMass Lowell students, graduate Dan Tang and Mike Testa, a faculty member in the university’s sound recording technology program, will present a free public concert that will feature an interpretation of Pink Floyd’s classic “Dark Side of the Moon” album and other compositions performed on keyboards, iPad technology and prototypes of new musical instruments. A light show and special effects will complete the experience. The album, released in 1973, has sold an estimated 50 million copies and remained on Billboard’s top-selling chart until 1988. Free public parking will be available in the nearby Wilder Street lot.

Where: Durgin Concert 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

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Career-Building Program Gives Student-Veterans an Edge

When: Friday, March 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What: Student-veterans at UMass Lowell are learning how to translate their military experience into job skills and potential new careers in the life-sciences industry through the Edge4Vets program. Participants who complete the program will earn a guaranteed interview for an internship from one of the program’s four sponsors: Covidien, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Fresenius Medical Care and Haemonetics. Mentors will help participants assess their strengths, develop confidence and make connections that will help them find career success after graduation. With a growing national reputation for success helping veterans land civilian jobs, Edge4Vets was developed by Tom Murphy of the Human Resiliency Institute at Fordham University. UMass Lowell is the first Massachusetts university to offer the national program. More than 1,450 student-veterans attend UMass Lowell, which is ranked among the most military-friendly schools in the nation by G.I. Jobs magazine.

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

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