Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

09/15/2014

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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.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
UMass Lowell faculty experts are available to discuss: 

  • Why the contributions of the Roosevelts, the subject of Ken Burns’ new documentary, are relevant today;
  • Twitter’s blockbuster debt offering and what it means for the future of the social-media site with 271 million active users;
  • The Supreme Court’s plans to review marriage-equality cases from five states this month.  

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

Celebration Officially Opens New State-of-the-Art Student Center

When: Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2:30 p.m.

What: UMass Lowell’s brand-new, $95 million student-engagement center at University Crossing will open with a ceremony with University of Massachusetts leaders, state and city officials, students, faculty and staff. Located at the former site of St. Joseph’s Hospital, University Crossing serves as a hub connecting UMass Lowell’s three campuses. The new center provides dedicated space for more than 150 student organizations and clubs and offers students a new, one-stop approach to services. Located inside the center, the River Hawk Shop, UMass Lowell’s new flagship bookstore, and the Crossroads Cafe are open to the public, as will be many community events, including a new author series.    

Where:    University Crossing, 220 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

Constitution Day Explores Landmark Supreme Court Rulings

When:     Wednesday, Sept. 17, 12:30 p.m.

What:      The impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2014 decisions on religion and free speech will be discussed by UMass Lowell political science faculty members Morgan Marietta – author of “A Citizen’s Guide to the Constitution and the Supreme Court” – and Patricia Sullivan Talty as the nation observes Constitution Day, recognizing the 227th anniversary of its ratification. Topics will include the relevance of rulings on corporations’ religious freedoms (Burwell v. Hobby Lobby), the right to protest outside clinics (McCullen v. Coakley) and the role of prayer at municipal meetings (Town of Greece v. Galloway). The event, which will include a question-and-answer session, is free and open to the public.

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

Vitality of Monoprints on Display During Artist’s Talk, Exhibit

When: Artist’s talk, Thursday, Sept. 18, 3 p.m., reception at 4 p.m. Exhibit runs through Tuesday, Sept. 30. University Gallery hours are Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What: Artist Joel Janowitz will discuss the creative process and inspiration that results from making monotypes during a discussion that will complement the exhibit “Singularity: The Unique Print.” The show, which will display works by Janowitz, along with Justin Campaniello, Catherine Kernan and Jan Cadman Powell, will demonstrate how monotypes and monoprints – which emerged as an art form in the 17th century – fit into a contemporary portfolio. A reception for Janowitz will be held in the newly renovated University Gallery after his talk. The events are free and open to the public.

Where: Artist’s talk – O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 222, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell. Reception and exhibit – University Gallery, Mahoney Hall, South Campus, 870 Broadway St., Lowell.

Contacts for media: Deborah Santoro, 978-934-3491, Deborah_Santoro@uml.edu or Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

Elizabeth Warren to Share Her Story with Campus, Community

When: Friday, Sept. 19, noon

What: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren will be the inaugural speaker in UMass Lowell’s new series featuring notable authors when she discusses her book, “A Fighting Chance” during a free program for the public and campus. A New York Times bestseller, the memoir shares Warren’s journey from her childhood in small-town Oklahoma to her career in public service. Signed books will be available during the event at the River Hawk Shop, UMass Lowell’s flagship bookstore at the new student center at University Crossing. (Note: The event is open to the media, but Warren will not be available for interviews.)

Where:    University Crossing lobby, 220 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

Ray Flynn, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend Headline Irish Conference

When: Wednesday, Sept. 24 through Friday, Sept. 26

What: Former Ambassador to the Vatican and Boston Mayor Ray Flynn, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan will be among the speakers at “Irish in Massachusetts: Historical Significance, Lasting Legacy.” Presented by UMass Lowell and Queen's University Belfast, the conference will examine Irish-Americans' many contributions to the arts, sports, history and culture in the Bay State and beyond. Among the sessions, Flynn, Townsend and Meehan will participate in a panel on Irish immigrants’ impact in U.S. politics on Friday, Sept. 26 at 11:15 a.m. The conference will also explore Irish settlers’ lives in Lowell and their work building the city’s famed canals and will feature artifacts unearthed during archaeological digs in Lowell and Northern Ireland conducted jointly by the universities. 

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

Alumni Return to Salute Sound Recording Technology Program

When:     Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What: Grammy Award-winning engineer Adam Ayan – who has mastered recordings for dozens of musicians from Faith Hill to the Foo Fighters – will be among the UMass Lowell alumni to lead sessions for music students as the university celebrates the 30th anniversary of its nationally renowned sound recording technology program. Nearly 1,000 strong, UMass Lowell SRT graduates work in the fields of television, radio, film, video games and special events. They have overseen and worked on audio production for the 2013 inauguration of President Obama, the Emmy Award-winning show “Bill Nye the Science Guy” and broadcasts of major sporting events including the Olympics and Boston Red Sox and Bruins games. SRT graduates and Music Department faculty will discuss topics including the state of the industry, acoustics and technology and will demonstrate recording techniques in a UMass Lowell sound studio.

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 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

Mass. Public Health Commissioner to Discuss Challenges

When: Monday, Sept. 29, 11:45 a.m.

What: Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett will talk about the challenges that stem from patient behavior, the environment and quality of care. Bartlett is the chairwoman of the Commonwealth’s Prevention and Wellness Advisory Board, which oversees a $60 million trust fund – the first of its kind in the nation – supporting community initiatives to reduce health-care costs by preventing chronic medical conditions. Free and open to the public, the event is part of UMass Lowell’s Lunchtime Lecture series, which brings outstanding speakers to the university for a community dialogue on important topics. Reservations for the public are required and may be made by contacting artsandideas@uml.edu or 978-934-3107. Members of the media interested in covering the event should contact UMass Lowell media relations.

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

‘Orange is the New Black’ Author to Speak at Free Public Event

When: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m.

What: Writer and activist Piper Kerman – whose memoir, “Orange is the New Black” inspired the critically acclaimed Netflix series – will discuss the book, prison reform and social justice and take questions from the audience during this second installment of UMass Lowell’s author series at University Crossing. Following her talk, Kerman will sign copies of “Orange is the New Black” at the River Hawk Shop, the university’s new flagship bookstore. The Netflix adaptation of the book took home three Creative Arts Emmys last month and was nominated for nine other Emmys.

Where: University Crossing, Moloney Hall, 220 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.ed

Share