Free Event Welcomes Public, Campus to the New University Crossing
08/07/2014
Contacts for media: Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu and Jeff Cournoyer, 978-934-3332 or Jeffrey_Cournoyer@uml.edu
LOWELL, Mass. – U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren will be the first speaker in UMass Lowell’s new series featuring notable authors when she presents a free program for the public and the campus next month.
Warren, the senior senator from Massachusetts, will discuss her New York Times bestseller “A Fighting Chance” on Friday, Sept. 19 at noon in the lobby of the new $95 million University Crossing student-engagement center at UMass Lowell.
Signed copies of Warren’s book – in which she shares her journey from her childhood in small-town Oklahoma to serving in the U.S. Senate – will be available during the event at the River Hawk Shop, UMass Lowell’s new flagship bookstore at University Crossing.
Located between the university’s North, South and East campuses, University Crossing will be a vibrant hub for student activities and services, and offer a variety of events and amenities for the campus and the public.
The new River Hawk Shop is easily accessible through a dedicated entrance at street level and from the University Crossing lobby, and offers an expanded selection of UMass Lowell apparel and other items, including an extensive selection of books of interest to all readers. Student textbooks are also available on a separate level of the store.
Warren – an outspoken advocate on issues including consumer protection and student-debt reform – was elected to the Senate in November 2012 following a high-profile campaign against incumbent Scott Brown that included a debate at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell before a capacity crowd and viewers via TV and the Internet from around the world.
Other events are planned for University Crossing to kick off the start of the new school year, including a Sept. 4 debate between candidates for the state House of Representatives’ 18th Middlesex District, which includes University Crossing and other portions of the UMass Lowell campus.
“We are fortunate to have someone of the caliber of Sen. Warren kick off the author series at University Crossing. This center will be a tremendous resource for the public as well as the campus as we plan to bring both together there for events like this on a regular basis,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan. “We look forward to sharing this state-of-the-art hub of activity with the community.”
In addition to the River Hawk Shop, the new Crossroads Cafe at University Crossing will be open for events including the Warren talk. The 75-seat cafe features floor-to-ceiling windows, a fireplace, comfortable seating and an outdoor patio. The menu includes a wide range of items, from flatbread sandwiches, panini, soups and made-to-order salads to Sal’s wood-fired pizzas, house-made desserts and “Refresh & Go” offerings like ready-made sandwiches, fruit cups and salads. Starbucks coffee, tea and other signature beverages are also available. The cafe is open to the campus community and the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays through Aug. 29 and then daily from 8 a.m. until at least 11 p.m.
The 230,000-square-foot University Crossing complex includes the $95 million, newly constructed student center as well as an adjacent existing building that has undergone extensive renovation and houses many university offices and other operations, including the UMass Lowell Police Department.
The grand opening of University Crossing is Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 2:30 p.m. and the public is welcome.
University Crossing is one of nine new buildings UMass Lowell has opened since 2009. The others include two residence halls, University Suites and Riverview Suites; two academic buildings, the Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center and the Health and Social Sciences Building; the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell (formerly the Tsongas Arena); the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center (a former downtown hotel); and two parking garages.
UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its 17,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be ready for work, for life and for all the world offers. www.uml.edu