Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

Fans cheer on the hockey team at TD Garden
UMass Lowell's men's ice hockey team the River Hawks will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 7 to open the season with a game against the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.

10/04/2016

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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.

Sources of the week

UMass Lowell faculty experts are available to discuss:

  • Hurricane Matthew’s expected trajectory and severity as it heads toward the East Coast;
  • Whether this week’s debate between vice presidential nominees Republican Mike Pence and Democrat Tim Kaine will influence voters;
  • Author and Lowell native Jack Kerouac’s lasting influence, as October marks the anniversary of his passing.

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

Manhattan Transfer, Take 6 Lead Master Class for Music Students

When: Tuesday, Oct. 4, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
What: Renowned a capella groups The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 will present a master class for UMass Lowell music students, performing for them and teaching about such topics as vocal technique, song choice, touring and the rigors of the music business. Formed in 1969, The Manhattan Transfer is a quartet whose repertoire focuses on jazz and pop fusion styles. The sextet Take 6 came together more than a generation later to celebrate gospel and contemporary rhythm and blues genres. The two groups often tour together and have more than 15 Grammy Awards between them. NOTE: This event is not open to the public but media are invited to attend.
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

Risk Analyst Leads Off Lunchtime Lectures Series

When: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 11:45 a.m.
What: Risk analysis expert David Ropeik believes most people worry too much about some things and not enough about others. He’ll share his views on how fear can cloud facts during the presentation “Risk: A Practical Guide for Deciding What is Really Safe.” Known to Boston television viewers as an award-winning broadcaster, Ropeik left journalism in 2000 to pursue a career in the field of risk analysis and perception. Since then, he has served as a consultant on the issue to governments, businesses, consumer groups and reporters. The event is the first in UMass Lowell’s 2016 Lunchtime Lectures Series, which brings engaging speakers to campus for discussions on current events and community issues. The free programs are presented by UMass Lowell and the Moses Greeley Parker Lectures with support from community partners.
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

Story Cloths Offer Insight into Dementia Therapies

When: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 1:30 p.m.
What: How to treat dementia in older Laotian Americans will be the focus of a free presentation by Linda Gerdner, who pioneered the use of music therapy as a way to calm people coping with the condition. Images on story cloths created by the Hmong people of Laos while they were confined in refugee camps will be displayed and discussed. The meticulously embroidered scenes provide a first-hand account of the people’s heritage, folktales and past experiences that contribute to the elders’ wellbeing today. Gerdner is a nurse researcher at Stanford University. The event is presented by UMass Lowell’s Center for Gerontology Research and Partnerships and the university’s Center for Asian American Studies.
Where: UMass Lowell, O’Leary Library, Room 222, 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

Entrepreneurs Pitch Ideas for Diabetes Care at Innovation Challenge

When: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 5 to 9 p.m.
What: Entrepreneurs developing new treatments and solutions for diabetes research and patient care will pitch their ideas and vie for more than $150,000 in funding or in-kind services during the Diabetes Innovation Challenge. Winners of the competition will move on to the contest’s final round, which will be held in Cambridge later this month. The event is presented by T1D Exchange – a nonprofit organization that supports diabetes research – along with the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2), a joint venture of the UMass Lowell and Worcester campuses that assists new biotech and medical-device startups develop new products from concept to commercialization. The JDRF, formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the American Diabetes Association, among other organizations, are providing additional support for the contest.
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

Brazilian-influenced Choro Bastardo to Perform, Teach Workshop

When: Thursday, Oct. 6. Workshop with students – 1 p.m. Concert – 8 p.m.
What: The group Choro Bastardo will perform a free concert for the campus and the public, playing its unique interpretation of traditional Brazilian choro music, which is evocative of New Orleans-style jazz. The group’s musical influences include ragtime, blues and classical genres. Earlier in the day, the artists will present a free workshop for UMass Lowell music students to share their knowledge about choro and what it’s like to be a professional musician.
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

New Resource Space on Kerouac, Beat Generation Opens

When: Thursday, Oct. 6, 5 p.m.
What: A new resource space dedicated to the writings of “On the Road” author and Lowell native Jack Kerouac and his contemporaries will open during a free event at UMass Lowell’s’ Center for Lowell History. The new Kerouac Room will house all of UMass Lowell’s beat literature collections in one place and new digital content will be unveiled. The center, which is open to the public and researchers, offers special collections and archives that engage people in Lowell’s history and present-day issues. The event is being held during Lowell’s annual celebration of Kerouac’s life and literary legacy.
Where: UMass Lowell Center for Lowell History, Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center, 40 French 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

River Hawks Skate into 50th Season of Hockey

When: Friday, Oct. 7, 7:15 p.m.
What: The UMass Lowell men’s ice hockey team will skate into its 50th season when it hosts the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs in the opening game. Returning to the River Hawks’ roster will be Head Coach Norm Bazin and 19 players who will welcome nine freshmen into the fold as the team works toward a berth in the Hockey East’s championship game for the fifth straight year. Fans and players alike will celebrate the program’s golden anniversary throughout the season with a variety of promotions and events. More on plans for the 50th season is available at www.goriverhawks.com. Tickets for all River Hawk home games are available through the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell at www.tsongascenter.com or in person at the box office.
Where: Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Lowell
Contacts for media: Peter Souris, Athletics, 978-934-3771, Peter_Souris@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

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