Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

11/24/2014

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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.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

  • How a newly discovered letter belonging to Lowell native and Beat Generation icon Jack Kerouac is important to his literary legacy;
  • How weather conditions throughout the country could affect Thanksgiving travel plans and if alternating cold and warming trends will continue this winter;
  • Why so many retailers have rewards programs and whether they will be beneficial to customers this holiday season.

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

City of Lights Celebration Features ‘Reading with Rowdy,’ Hockey Game

When: Saturday, Nov. 29. “Reading with Rowdy,” noon and UMass Lowell men’s hockey game, 7 p.m.

What: UMass Lowell student-athletes and mascot Rowdy the River Hawk will read favorite holiday books to children at a free event during Lowell’s annual City of Lights Celebration. As part of the festivities, the university will be offering complimentary ticket vouchers to attend the River Hawks men’s hockey game versus Harvard University, in a contest that will mark the Crimson’s first visit to UMass Lowell. The vouchers include a 20 percent discount coupon for children’s and holiday books at the River Hawk Shop, the university’s newly expanded bookstore. Fans who attend will be invited to share the ice with the River Hawks during the team’s annual post-game skate.

Where: “Reading with Rowdy,” the River Hawk Shop, University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell. UMass Lowell hockey game, Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Lowell

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

Explore the Geopolitics Behind the Quest for Resources at Event

When: Monday, Dec. 1, noon

What: Morena Skalamera of the Geopolitics of Energy Project will discuss the relationship between Russia and China in their effort to secure natural resources such as oil and gas. Free and open to the public, the event is one in the Fall 2014 Seminar Series presented by the College of Health Sciences; College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the Economic and Social Development of Regions Program; and the Center for Industrial Competitiveness.

Where: Kitson Hall, North Campus, Room 309, 21 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

Pitch Contests Put Students’ Entrepreneurial Skills to the Test

When: Wednesday, Dec. 3 and Thursday, Dec. 4, 6 to 9 p.m.

What: UMass Lowell students who are learning entrepreneurial skills through the university’s DifferenceMaker program will present their ideas for new products, services and ventures to panels of expert judges at three separate “pitch” contests. Winners will be awarded seed money to further their concepts. The competitions are:

The DCU Innovation Contest, which challenges students to develop innovations in banking and finance. Last year’s winners took home $1,500 to advance their idea for a hybrid credit and debit card that would allow users to build credit without banks assuming risk. Wednesday, Dec. 3 in the Perry Atrium of the Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, North Campus, 40 University Ave. Lowell

The Creative Venture Competition for students who have ideas for products, programs or business ventures that provide a social service. Last year’s winner took home $2,500 to develop a web platform called DreamLink. The contest is presented by UMass Lowell’s College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Wednesday, Dec. 3 at the O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 222, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell

College of Engineering Prototype Competition, a new contest this year that seeks the best student-produced prototypes for mechanical and electrical devices, software applications or integrated systems. Thursday, Dec. 4, in the Perry Atrium of the Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, 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

Dogs Rule at Fourth Annual ‘Pucks and Paws Night’

When: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m.

What: Hockey lovers will howl during the fourth annual “Pucks and Paws Night,” which invites dogs to take a rinkside seat next to their owners for the River Hawks’ game against the University of Connecticut Huskies. Dog owners may purchase seats in the arena’s Section 110 for $15 and $5 for their dogs, which will enter the arena through a special doggie door at the West Entrance. All dog-ticket proceeds will go to support the Lowell Humane Society, which will have pets up for adoption at the event. Owners are required to purchase their dog tickets in advance by calling Christine Maurais at 978-934-2181 and must provide proof their dogs have up-to-date vaccinations. Season ticket-holders may exchange tickets for their usual seats for seats in Section 110 at no charge with the purchase of a $5 dog ticket. Hydration and waste-management stations will be provided for dogs, all of which must be on a non-retractable leash and have current tags. Tickets are available through the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell box office, www.TsongasCenter.com or by calling 866-722-8780.

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

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

Event Showcases Crafts Handmade by Women

When: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2 to 7 p.m.

What: Women crafters and artists – many of whom are UMass Lowell graduates, faculty and staff – will showcase their products for sale during “Women’s Works: A Celebration of the Creativity of Women.” The annual event, ideal for holiday shopping, is filled with handmade jewelry, knitted items, foods, paintings and more. Musical performances and an art show complete shoppers’ experience. Event proceeds benefit UMass Lowell’s Center for Women and Work, which researches the relationship between gender and work and seeks remedies for gender inequalities in the workplace.

Where: UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, Grand Ballroom, 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

Mandela’s Prison Guard Talks about Memoir, Friendship with Leader

When: Thursday, Dec. 4, 4 p.m.

What: Christo Brand will talk about his memoir “Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend” during a free presentation for the campus community and the public. Brand was Nelson Mandela’s prison guard on Robben Island in South Africa for 12 years, during which the two men developed a strong bond. The book tells the story of their remarkable friendship that endured through Mandela’s political ascendancy to become South Africa’s president until his death last year. After his talk, Brand will sign copies of the book, which will be available for purchase at the River Hawk Shop, UMass Lowell’s newly expanded bookstore. Members of the public interested in attending the event are asked to register in advance with Mary Robbins at Mary_Robbins@uml.edu.

Where: University Crossing, Moloney Hall, Room 260, 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

Holiday Concert to Feature Young Musicians of the String Project

When: Saturday, Dec. 6, 3 p.m.

What: Musicians age 8 to 18 from throughout the Merrimack Valley who are learning to play instruments including the violin and the viola through UMass Lowell’s String Project will give a free holiday concert featuring the music of “The Nutcracker.” Guests will include the university’s Freshman Chorus, which will perform selections from Vivaldi’s “Gloria.” Under the direction of John-Morgan Bush, a member of UMass Lowell’s music faculty, the String Project earned outstanding program of the year accolades this past spring from the American String Teachers Association. Free concert parking is available in the Wilder lot near the venue.

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

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