Story and source Ideas for Journalists

11/03/2014

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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.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

  • Elections, including the races for Massachusetts governor and attorney general and New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate seat, along with results and analysis after the polls close;
  • What the opening of One World Trade Center on Monday means for the nation’s economy and whether it will become a new target for terrorism;
  • How public television’s “Sesame Street” – which turns 45 next week – helped transform early-childhood education and continues to do so.

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

Hoop Jam Gears Up Fans for River Hawks Basketball Season

When: Monday, Nov. 3, 6 to 8 p.m.

What:  UMass Lowell men’s and women’s basketball players will participate in skills challenges, shooting contests, a three-on-three tournament and intramural games during the university’s first Hoop Jam, building excitement for the start of 2014-2015 NCAA Division I play. Pat Duquette, head coach of the men’s team, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event, which is free and open to fans from the campus and community. The basketball season begins with two road games on Friday, Nov. 14. The women’s team – led by Head Coach Jenerrie Harris in her first season behind the bench – travels to South Bend, Ind., to take on Notre Dame and the men’s team appears in Columbus to face Ohio State. 

Where: Costello Athletic Center, North Campus, 275 Riverside St., Lowell

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

Artist-in-Residence Leah Buechley to Lead Programs for Students, Public

When: Wednesday, Nov. 5 and Thursday, Nov. 6

What: Avant-garde designer, engineer and educator Leah Buechley, UMass Lowell’s 2014 artist-in-residence, will present a series of programs for the campus and community. Buechley’s work unites sophisticated and rudimentary technologies and new and ancient materials. The founder of the High-Low Research Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Buechley is pursuing an independent design practice. During her stay at UMass Lowell, she will exhibit her work and teach classes. Her visit is presented by UMass Lowell’s College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Center for Arts and Ideas and the English and Art departments. Events include:

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

‘Mill Power’ Explores Significance of Lowell National Historical Park

When: Thursday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m.

What: Paul Marion, UMass Lowell’s executive director of community and cultural affairs, will read from and discuss his new book, “Mill Power: The Origin and Impact of Lowell National Historical Park,” which traces the history of the urban park from 1966 through its place in the community today. Marion – a Lowell native and UMass Lowell graduate – worked for the Lowell Historic Preservation Commission in the 1980s, helping to develop the park’s programs and properties. Marion and individuals featured in “Mill Power” will sign copies of the book, which will be available at the River Hawk Shop, UMass Lowell’s expanded bookstore at the new University Crossing student center.

Where: River Hawk Shop, 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

Women’s Boxing Champ to Share Inspiring Story with Students

When: Saturday, November 8, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

What: Elizabeth Leddy – who overcame alcoholism and homelessness to become a New England Golden Gloves boxing champion – will share her story at the second annual “Know Your Voice” women’s leadership conference. The daylong conference focuses on sharing resources and skills to help women students be more successful on campus, in their personal lives and in the workplace. The conference will feature a keynote address from UMass Lowell alumna Lorna Boucher, head of product branding strategy for KCG Holdings Inc., a panel discussion moderated by UMass Lowell Executive Vice Chancellor Jacqueline Moloney and educational seminars.

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

Author Works to Improve Understanding of Children with Disabilities

When: Thursday, Nov. 13, 3:30 p.m.

What: Gina Gallagher, co-author of “Shut Up about Your Perfect Kid!” will talk about the challenges and rewards of raising children with disabilities in a world preoccupied with perfection. Bringing a dose of humor to their work, Gallagher and her sister, Patricia Terrasi, wrote the book together based on their experiences raising children with autism-spectrum and bi-polar disorders. The sisters are proponents of what they call the “Movement of Imperfection,” which encourages people to embrace diversity. The talk is free and open to the UMass Lowell community and 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

Violin and Lyra Concert Celebrates Greek Culture

When: Sunday, Nov. 16, 3 p.m.

What: “The Violin and Lyras of Greece” will celebrate traditional folk music from all regions of the country in a free concert for the public and UMass Lowell community. Performers will include Beth Bahia Cohen on the violin and lyras; Sandy Theodorou on laouto, accordion and vocals; and Fabio Pirozzolo on percussion. The event is presented by UMass Lowell and the Hellenic Culture and Heritage Society, which helps to advance Greek-American life in Lowell.

Where: Durgin Hall, Fisher 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

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