Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

04/14/2014

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. For more stories about UMass Lowell, visit www.uml.edu and click on “Media” at the top of the page. Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.

Sources of the week are available to discuss:

  • How experts are dealing with security issues surrounding this year’s Boston Marathon;
  • The science behind four “blood moon” lunar eclipses, the first of which is Tuesday and will happen in the next 18 months;
  • How New Hampshire’s changing demographics may affect the U.S. Senate race in the state;
  • President Obama’s nomination of Sylvia Burwell Mathews as Health and Human Services secretary and the next steps she will face in implementing Obamacare.

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

‘Disable the Label’ Events Promote Understanding, Awareness

When: Monday, April 14 and Tuesday, April 15

What: UMass Lowell’s “Disable the Label” events throughout April engage the UMass Lowell community and the public in promoting understanding of people with disabilities and raising awareness of local resources. Events open to the public this week include:

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

Student Entrepreneurs Vie for $35,000 in Seed Money for Best Ideas

When: Tuesday, April 15, 5 to 9 p.m.

What: Twelve teams of UMass Lowell students who have developed solutions to business, technology and social problems will go before a panel of expert alumni judges in the finals of the DifferenceMaker Idea Challenge. The competition, which began in January, matched students and faculty mentors from each of the university’s six schools and colleges to develop new products and services for business and the community. The finalists will unveil innovative ideas for mobile apps, health care, energy, education and more. The winners will share in $35,000 in seed money to help bring their ideas to fruition. The competition is part of UMass Lowell’s DifferenceMaker Program, which teaches students how to think like entrepreneurs in order to solve real-word business and community problems.

Where: Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, Perry Atrium, 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

Acrobatics and Dance Combine in Martial Arts Demonstration

When: Wednesday, April 16, noon to 5 p.m.

What: A demonstration of capoeira – a Brazilian martial art that incorporates elements of acrobatics and dance – will be presented by the Associacao de Capoeira Mandingueiros dos Palmares. The event, which is free and open to the public, is presented by UMass Lowell’s Department of Cultural Studies and the Saab-Pedroso Center for Portuguese Culture and Research. For more information about the event, contact Prof. Frank Sousa, the center’s director, at Frank_Sousa@uml.edu.

Where: South quadrangle, outside 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

Rise in C-Section Births in U.S. Hospitals Discussed at Public Talk

When: Wednesday, April 16, 2:30 to 4 p.m.

What: Theresa Morris, author of “Cut it Out: The C-Section Epidemic in America,” will draw on her interviews with expectant mothers, obstetricians, midwives and nurses for this free public discussion on the increase in Cesarean births in the nation’s hospitals. Morris’ talk is presented by UMass Lowell’s College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the Center for Women and Work; and the departments of Psychology, Community Health and Sustainability, and Gender Studies.

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

Robotics-Testing Facility Hosts Free Open House

When: Wednesday, April 16

What: Industry leaders, UMass Lowell students and technology enthusiasts will demonstrate the robots they have designed and built at this free, public open house that showcases the New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation (NERVE) Center at UMass Lowell, the nation’s premier robotics-testing facility. Companies demonstrating their products include Adept MobileRobots, Harvest Automation, iRobot and VGo Communications. Devices designed and built at UMass Lowell’s Robotics Lab will also be featured. Attendees are asked to register for the event at http://nerve.uml.edu.

Where: NERVE Center at UMass Lowell, 1001 Pawtucket Blvd., Lowell

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

Awards Honor Exemplary Alumni, Raise Scholarship Funds

When: Wednesday, April 16, 5:30 p.m.

What: UMass Lowell will honor outstanding graduates who have distinguished themselves and the institution with their exceptional leadership, professional success and service to the campus and the community at the annual University Alumni Awards. The event also serves as a fundraiser for student scholarships. This year’s award recipients are James Barry ’88 of Marlborough, principal of Convergent Biomedical Group; Mark Cocozza ’71 of Boston, chairman of the board of Grandview International; Louis Coiro ’82 of Andover, owner and founder of Tewksbury Physical Therapy and Drum Hill Physical and Sports Therapy; Patricia McPhail ’54 of Hattiesburg, Miss., prominent real estate business owner; Jacqueline Moloney ’75 and ’92 of Chelmsford, UMass Lowell executive vice chancellor; Richard A. Pierro ’83 of Hampton Falls, N.H., co-founder, president and co-owner of Superior Controls; and Adam Hogue ’03 of Lincoln, adviser at Coastal Capital Group.

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 Come Together to Promote Sustainable Campuses, Communities

When: Thursday, April 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What: “Sustainability: Systems and Solutions,” a conference presented by the Massachusetts Sustainable Communities and Campuses group, will bring together municipal, business, nonprofit and higher-education professionals to share best practices, current trends and resources. UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan and Lowell Mayor Rodney Elliott will be among the event’s speakers. The program will include more than 50 presentations on topics ranging from how to cultivate urban parks to integrating sustainability issues into teaching curricula. UMass Lowell is among the event’s sponsors, which include Casella Resource Solutions and Chelsea Green Publishing.

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

UMass Team Runs Marathon, Supports ‘Boston Strong’ Scholarships

When: Monday, April 21, 8:50 a.m. start time

What: UMass Lowell graduate Rex Radloff will be among the members of the University of Massachusetts community running in the Boston Marathon in memory of Krystle Campbell, a UMass Boston student who was killed during last year’s bombings while watching the race on Boylston Street. The “Run for Krystle” will raise money for the Krystle Campbell Scholarship Fund, which will be available to students from all five University of Massachusetts campuses. UMass Lowell students, faculty and staff also support the UMass Lowell Boston Marathon Scholarship Fund, which benefits any member of the UMass Lowell community affected by the bombings who wishes to pursue an education at UMass Lowell.

Where: Starting line is at the corner of Route 135 and Grove Street, Hopkinton. Finish line on Boylston Street, between Exeter and Dartmouth streets, Boston.

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

Students Showcase Research, Compete for Prizes

When: Tuesday, April 22, noon to 5 p.m. Pitch contests, 2:30 p.m.

What: For the first time, research projects presented by students during UMass Lowell’s annual Student Community Engagement and Research Symposium will compete for honors in a contest judged by a panel of alumni and business leaders. Now in its 17th year, the event is a venue for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral studies in all disciplines to present their research, creative work, internship and co-op experience and innovative ideas to their peers, faculty and guests. More than 180 projects will be considered during the judging, which will name winners in each of UMass Lowell’s six schools and colleges. Awards will include $500 for the best projects submitted by student teams and $300 to the best project by an individual. The event will be hosted by Julie Chen, UMass Lowell’s vice provost for research.

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

UMass Lowell to ‘Adopt’ Real-Life River Hawks

When: Tuesday, April 22, 2:45 p.m.

What: UMass Lowell’s athletics teams and its mascot are known as the River Hawks, named for the birds of various species living in the area. At this event, the university will officially “adopt” the pair of rare peregrine falcons that nest each spring on top of Fox Hall, Lowell’s tallest building and UMass Lowell’s largest residence hall. The university, which erected a nest box and a webcam for the falcons, works with the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife to monitor the birds and their chicks. Having real-life birds in the role of the River Hawks will enhance both school spirit and understanding of UMass Lowell’s resident falcons, two of only a few dozen believed to be living in Massachusetts. The celebration of the symbolic adoption will include the announcement of official names for the birds, determined through a social-media contest, and speakers including Chancellor Marty Meehan and Athletic Director Dana Skinner.

Where: Hawk’s Nest Café, University Suites, East Campus, 327 Aiken 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

‘The Body at Work: From Construction to Keyboards’ Set for April 23

When: Wednesday, April 23, 4 to 6 p.m.

What: Laura Punnett, UMass Lowell’s 2014 University Professor, will discuss her research in the presentation “The Body at Work: From Construction to Keyboards.” Punnett is an expert in the patterns, causes and effects of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and the effectiveness of workplace ergonomics interventions, health promotion programs and labor-management safety committees. In 1987, she helped establish UMass Lowell’s Department of Work Environment within what is now the College of Health Sciences. The three-year University Professor appointment recognizes exemplary contributions to teaching, research and service to the institution and is the highest distinction the university bestows on a faculty member.

Where: UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., LowellContacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Share