Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

09/29/2014

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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.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 pros and cons behind continuing to administer MCAS tests or moving to a new online exam that is being rolled out;
  • What the expansion of the Wegmans supermarket chain into New England may mean for competitors in this market;
  • How volcanoes work and whether the surprise eruption at Mount Ontake in Japan could have been predicted. 

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

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

When: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. Media check-in is 5:45 to 6:15 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

ScienceToGo.org Honors Efforts to Reduce Boston’s Carbon Footprint

When: Thursday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

What: Businesses and organizations committed to reducing their carbon footprint will be honored at “Wicked Smaht! Celebrating Climate Leaders in Boston,” an event presented by ScienceToGo.org that will kick off the last phase of initiative’s year-long campaign. ScienceToGo.org, which brings science education out of the classroom and into everyday life, is a joint project of educators and scientists from UMass Lowell, UMass Boston, Texas State University and the Museum of Science whose work is supported by a National Science Foundation grant. The initiative teaches climate science through a campaign featuring events, exhibits, social media and signs on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Red and Orange lines and in stations. “Ozzie the Ostrich” and his flock are the campaign’s symbols. In the coming weeks, MBTA car cards and posters will feature messages from the birds that will convey scientific concepts. Above ground, the flock, in the form of 8-foot-tall ostrich figures, will be stationed in front of the businesses and organizations being honored for their eco-friendly policies and programs. The public may interact with Ozzie and learn more via @BostonOstrich on Twitter, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sciencetogo and with the “PaparOzzie” mobile app available at www.sciencetogo.org.

Where: Dewey Square Park, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, intersection of Congress and Summer streets and Atlantic Avenue, Boston

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 TV News 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 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

Teach-In Explores Solutions to Environmental Instability

When: Tuesday, Oct. 7, 4 to 6 p.m.

What: Experts on climate change and public policy will discuss what can be done now to safeguard the environment for the future during UMass Lowell’s annual Climate-Change Teach-In. Topics will include the sustainability efforts cities and towns can implement, the factors that give rise to climate change and the dynamics of environmental systems. The program is presented by UMass Lowell’s Climate Change Initiative and Climate Action Plan Steering Committee, which bring together students, faculty and staff with community leaders to foster a carbon-neutral campus and promote awareness and action to improve the environment. The event is free and open to the public; attendees are asked to pre-register at (http://www.uml.edu/Today/Submissions/2014/2014-09-17-09-55-21-Register-Now-for-Climate-Change-Tea.aspx) www.uml.edu/Today/Submissions/2014/2014-09-17-09-55-21-Register-Now-for-Climate-Change-Tea.aspx. Members of the media interested in covering the event should contact UMass Lowell media relations.

Where: Cumnock Hall Auditorium, 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

Night of Fado Music to Benefit Saab-Pedroso Portuguese Center

When: Friday, Oct. 10. Reception at 5:30 p.m. and concert at 7 p.m.

What: “Fado: Sounds of Portugal” will feature singers Duarte Coxo and Sara Correia and renowned guitarist Paulo Pereira in a performance to benefit the Saab-Pedroso Center for Portuguese Culture and Research at UMass Lowell. A type of Portuguese folk music that emerged in the 19th century, fado is characterized by haunting melodies and lyrics that evoke everyday life in working-class neighborhoods and tales of the sea. Tickets – which are $30 per person for the concert only or $100 per person for a pre-concert reception and the show – are available at http://alumni.uml.edu/fado. The Saab-Pedroso center promotes the study of the language, literature and cultures of Portuguese-speaking people around the world. The concert is presented by the center and sponsored by the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Office of University Advancement and the Center for Arts and Ideas. Members of the public who have questions about the show should contact artsandideas@uml.edu or 978-934-2957. Members of the media interested in covering the event should contact UMass Lowell media relations.

Where: Reception – Allen House, South Campus, 2 Solomont Way, Lowell. Performance – 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

Defending Hockey East Champion River Hawks Soar into New Season

When: Friday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m.

What: UMass Lowell fans will be “united in blue” when the puck drops on the 2014-2015 men’s ice hockey season at the home opener against the Boston College Eagles. The River Hawks are the two-time defending Hockey East Tournament champions and have earned a berth at the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons. As key players from last year’s squad have moved on, Head Coach Norm Bazin welcomes 16 new faces to the team. The game will include performances of UMass Lowell’s new fight song, “River Hawk Pride” by the university’s Pep Band and fans are urged to “blue out” the arena by wearing the color. Complimentary UMass Lowell T-shirts will be provided to the first 6,000 attendees. Tickets are available through www.TsongasCenter.com, www.goriverhawks.com, the Tsongas Center box office or by calling 866-722-8780.

Where: Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Lowell

Contacts for media: Peter Souris, 978-934-3771, Peter_Souris@uml.edu or Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

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