Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

09/22/2014

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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.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: 

  • The aims and outcomes from this week’s United Nations Climate Summit, which is working toward a new international treaty to combat global warming;
  • General Motors’ recall woes and how the company can restore customer confidence;
  • The outlook for fall foliage season and when peak colors will appear.

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

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. Flynn, Townsend and Meehan will participate in a panel on Irish immigrants’ impact on 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 canals and will feature artifacts unearthed during archaeological digs in Lowell and Northern Ireland conducted jointly by the universities. For more, including a complete schedule, visit www.uml.edu/international-programs/Irish/Irish-in-Massachusetts/default.aspx.

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 the Foo Fighters to Faith Hill – 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 Speak at Lunchtime Lecture

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 the health-care environment, treating addictions 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. State Rep. Thomas Golden, an advocate for raising awareness about the complexities behind addictions, will also speak. 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 by Wednesday, Sept. 24. 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. Media interested in covering this event should contact UMass Lowell media relations in advance for credentials and reserved parking.

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.edu

Prospective Students Visit Dynamic Campus During Open Houses

When: Saturday, Oct. 4 and Sunday, Oct. 26. Exhibits, 9 to 11:30 a.m.; campus tours, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

What: Prospective freshmen, transfer and graduate students interested in UMass Lowell will learn about the university’s wealth of academic programs and vibrant campus life during two fall open houses. Attendees and their families will meet with faculty, staff and students and tour UMass Lowell’s campus, including the brand-new student-engagement center at University Crossing, the 10th new building opened by UMass Lowell in five years. Presentations on majors and programs, exhibits and information about financial aid and educational resources will illustrate why UMass Lowell is ranked among the top public universities in the country by U.S News & World Report. The university offers more than 100 undergraduate degree programs and options for graduate study that include 39 master’s degrees, 33 doctoral degrees and dozens of certificate programs. For more information, visit www.uml.edu/admissions/visit/open-house/default.aspx.

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

Veteran Boston Broadcaster to Reflect on Storied Career

When: Tuesday, Oct. 7, 11:45 a.m.

What: Susan Wornick, who built a 34-year career as one of Boston’s most engaging anchors and reporters at WCVB-TV, will reflect on her decades in television journalism and the state of the industry today. The veteran reporter will talk about how she was prepared to go to jail to protect a source, the shield law for journalists, the non-stop 24-hour news cycle, how technology has changed the field, and what broadcast jobs will look like in the future. Free and open to the public, the event is part of UMass Lowell’s Lunchtime Lecture series. Reservations for the public are required and may be made by contacting artsandideas@uml.edu or 978-934-3107 by Wednesday, Oct. 1. Members of the media interested in covering the event should contact UMass Lowell media relations.

Where: UMass Lowell Inn and 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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