Story and Source Ideas for Journalists
09/08/2015
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/pressroom. Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication unless otherwise noted.
Sources of the week
UMass Lowell faculty experts are available to discuss:
- Emerging threats to homeland security as the nation marks the 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks;
- An effort to amend Massachusetts’ Constitution to allow the Legislature to put limits on political campaign donations;
- What Apple Inc.’s move into the streaming content market could mean for Netflix and other companies.
Contact UMass Lowell media relations if you need an expert source on any subject.
Environmental Leader Launches Book on Safer Living
Electric Cars Rev their Engines at Event
Exhibit, Film Shine Light on Prolific Artist Edward Gorey
Senior Citizens Go Back to School at UMass Lowell
Marriage Equality’s Ramifications Topic of Constitution Day Program
Leading Medical Journal Editor Diagnoses U.S. Health Care System
Environmental Environmental Leader Launches Book on Safer Living
When: Monday, Sept. 14, 4 to 6 p.m.
What: UMass Lowell’s Ken Geiser, a renowned authority on the environmental and health effects of toxic substances, will talk about his new book, “Chemicals Without Harm: Policies for a Sustainable World,” and his career during a public reception. Geiser helped write Massachusetts’ Toxics Use Reduction Act, which requires companies to have pollution prevention plans. The law, which helps protect people from exposure to toxins, took effect in 1989, in the wake of a lawsuit filed by Woburn families alleging toxic dumping by W.R. Grace and other companies that became the basis for the book and film “A Civil Action.” Geiser is the founder and former director of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell, which helps businesses, communities and nonprofits make the Commonwealth a safer place to live and work. Geiser also served as the director of the university’s Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, which champions environmentally sound, economically viable manufacturing methods to reduce toxic chemicals in the environment. Members of the public who wish to attend should contact Sokny_Long@uml.edu or 978-934-3255.
Where: University Crossing, Moloney Hall, Second Floor, 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
CarsElectric Cars Rev their Engines at Event
When: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
What: As a leader in climate education, UMass Lowell promotes ways to achieve carbon neutrality on campus and improve the environment throughout the region. As part of Commuter Appreciation Week, the Office of Sustainability will talk about UMass Lowell’s new electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations on its South, North and East campuses and display electric cars from BMW, Volkswagen, Nissan, Chevrolet and Tesla, some of which will be available for test drives. The event is presented in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Plug In America, a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of electric cars.
Where: Allen House, South Campus, 2 Solomont 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
GoreyExhibit, Film Shine Light on Prolific Artist Edward Gorey
When: Curator’s talk and reception – Tuesday, Sept. 15, 5:30 p.m. Exhibit runs through Friday, Oct. 16. For University Gallery hours, see
https://www.uml.edu/FAHSS/Art/Galleries-Exhibitions/
What: The exhibit “E is for Elephant,” will delve into the world of renowned artist and writer Edward Gorey. Gorey – whose animation for the opening credits of PBS’ “Mystery!” series introduced his work to millions of television viewers – illustrated his books and those of authors such as Virginia Woolf, Samuel Beckett and John Updike in a sometimes macabre yet playful style. The exhibit includes a sampling of Gorey’s etchings, original plates, memorabilia and other objects curated by Art Prof. James Edwards of UMass Dartmouth, who will discuss the collection before a reception highlighting the show. Both the exhibit and curator’s talk at UMass Lowell are free and open to the public.
Where: Curator’s talk – O’Leary Library Learning Commons, Room 222, South Campus, 61 Wilder St., Lowell. Reception and exhibit – University Gallery, Mahoney Hall, South Campus, 870 Broadway St., Lowell.
Contacts for media: Deborah Santoro, gallery coordinator, 978-934-3491, Deborah_Santoro@uml.edu or Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu
LIRASenior Citizens Go Back to School at UMass Lowell
When: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 9:30 a.m.
What: More than 125 senior citizens who are members of the Learning in Retirement Association will open their academic year with their own convocation ceremony at UMass Lowell. LIRA members are staying active by participating in learning groups that delve into topics spanning literature, world history, current events, politics, art and music. Members also attend field trips to museums, concerts and other cultural attractions. Paul Marion, UMass Lowell’s executive director of community and cultural affairs, will offer keynote remarks during the event. Marion is a published author and poet.
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
MarriageMarriage Equality’s Ramifications Topic of Constitution Day Program
When: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2 p.m.
What: As Rowan County, Kentucky clerk Kim Davis continues her legal fight against being forced to issue same-sex marriage licenses, UMass Lowell will present a program to examine the effect of the Supreme Court’s ruling in support of marriage equality. Stephen Wasby, a nationally acclaimed author and expert on the First Amendment and civil liberties, will discuss the federal changes and other ramifications triggered by the decision. He’ll also talk about how other court rulings from the 2015 spring term share similar themes. A question-and-answer session will follow. Observed annually on Sept. 17, Constitution Day commemorates the signing in 1787; to mark the significance of this act each year, UMass Lowell presents a Constitution Day program for the campus and community that examines the document’s development and influence.
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
LunchtimeLeading Medical Journal Editor Diagnoses U.S. Health Care System
When: Monday, Sept. 21, 11:45 a.m.
What: The well-being of U.S. health care will be explored by Dr. Howard Bauchner, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association, during a Lunchtime Lectures event that is free and open to the public. Bauchner will discuss emerging policy issues as the country nears the second anniversary of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which some refer to as “Obamacare,” that mandates health insurance for all Americans. The Lunchtime Lectures series is presented by UMass Lowell and the Moses Greeley Parker Lectures with support from community and campus partners.
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