Story and Source Ideas for Journalists
02/27/2017
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. In case of inclement weather, call UMass Lowell’s weather hotline at 978-934-2121; if the university is closed, events are canceled. For more news 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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.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:
- How PriceWaterhouseCoopers found itself at the center of the biggest Oscar mistake in the Academy Awards’ history and what it needs to do in the wake of the error that led to the wrong Best Picture announcement last night;
- Reaction to President Trump’s first televised address to Congress tomorrow, during which he’s expected to talk about increased defense spending and a reduction of government programs;
- How NFL quarterback Jameis Winston’s comments to elementary-school students that “ladies, they (are) supposed to be silent, polite, gentle” perpetuate gender stereotypes that affect children.
Contact UMass Lowell media relations if you need an expert source on any subject.
Former Hillary Clinton Adviser to Speak
Performance to Spotlight Medieval Portuguese Love Songs
‘Mothers of Rock’ Pays Tribute to Influence of Women Musicians
Students Provide Sports Activities for Children with Disabilities
‘Petticoat Revolutionaries’ Explores Irish-American Women’s Influence
‘Meet Lucy Stone’ Underscores Work of Tsongas Industrial History Center
Priceless Books, Acclaimed Memoir They Inspired Are Centerpiece of Event
TEA International Teachers to Share Perspectives on Gender and Education
When: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
What: High-school teachers from 20 countries will share their insights on how schools in their home nations work to ensure boys and girls receive the same education without gender bias in classrooms at a free event for the campus and public. The teachers are visiting UMass Lowell for six weeks through the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) to develop expertise in their subject areas, enhance their skills and gain field experience, including being paired with counterparts in Andover and Chelmsford schools. The program is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of State secured by faculty in UMass Lowell’s Graduate School of Education.
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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
KoltaiFormer Hillary Clinton Adviser to Speak
When: Thursday, March 2, 3 p.m.
What: Businessman Steven Koltai, who served as senior adviser for entrepreneurship to Hillary Clinton when she was U.S. secretary of state, will explore the issues raised in his book “Peace Through Entrepreneurship: Investing in a Startup Culture for Security and Development” at a free program. Koltai, a guest scholar at the Brookings Institution, created the U.S. Department of State’s Global Entrepreneurship Program, which fosters private-sector and government partnerships to advance innovation around the world. The event for the campus and public is presented by UMass Lowell’s Manning School of Business and Office of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, with support from the Nancy L. Donahue Endowed Fellowship in Values and Ethics.
Where: Alumni Hall, North Campus, 84 University Ave., Lowell
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
PortguesePerformance to Spotlight Medieval Portuguese Love Songs
When: Thursday, March 2, 8 p.m.
What: Portuguese love songs once played by troubadours in the Middle Ages will be performed by TellTale Crossings, an acclaimed ensemble that blends New Age and world music. The free event is presented by UMass Lowell’s Saab-Pedroso Center for Portuguese Culture and Research, Department of Music, Department of World Languages and Cultures, and the Medieval and Renaissance Studies Program. Members of the public interested in more information on this event should email Natalia_Melo@uml.edu.
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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
MOR‘Mothers of Rock’ Pays Tribute to Influence of Women Musicians
When: Saturday, March 4, 7:30 p.m.
What: “Mothers of Rock” – a concert in tribute to women songwriters and performers who define popular music – will be presented by UMass Lowell’s chapter of the Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association (MEISA), which provides members with real-world experience and networking opportunities. Songs made famous by Carole King, Joan Jett and Janis Joplin will be among those performed by UMass Lowell students and faculty, along with children who participate in Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell’s after-school programs. The eighth annual event is free and open to the public; donations will be accepted at the door. Proceeds from the show and merchandise sales will benefit Girls Inc.
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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
SportsStudents Provide Sports Activities for Children with Disabilities
When: Sunday, March 5, 1 to 3 p.m.
What: UMass Lowell’s “Disable the Label” Month will kick off with Playing for Inclusion, a free afternoon of sports activities for children with disabilities from the Greater Lowell community. Presenting the second annual event are the following student-run organizations: Disable the Label, which advances understanding of people with disabilities and raises awareness about local resources; Best Buddies, which builds one-to-one friendships between people with disabilities and UMass Lowell students; and Love of the Game, which grew out of an award-winning DifferenceMaker student entrepreneur project that provides athletic opportunities for people with disabilities. Parents of children with disabilities who would like to participate can contact disability@uml.edu.
Where: UMass Lowell Campus Recreation Center, East Campus, 292 Aiken St., Lowell
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Petticoat‘Petticoat Revolutionaries’ Explores Irish-American Women’s Influence
When: Monday, March 6, 5:30 p.m.
What: In “Petticoat Revolutionaries,” scholar Ely Janis will explore the accomplishments and lasting legacy of the Ladies Land League, a civic organization of thousands of Irish-American women who joined forces in the 1800s to raise money to aid victims of the potato famine in Ireland. Led by Fanny Parnell, who became an icon of Irish culture, the league enabled women to carve out a new public role in the male-dominated realm of Irish-American life. The free event is one in a series presented by UMass Lowell’s Center for Irish Partnerships, which works to deepen understanding between the American and Irish people through faculty and student exchanges in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
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, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Stone‘Meet Lucy Stone’ Underscores Work of Tsongas Industrial History Center
When: Tuesday, March 7, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
What: Actress Judith Black will present “Meet Lucy Stone,” the story of the Massachusetts feminist who was a star of the 19th century’s anti-slavery and women’s rights movements. The event is part of the 25th anniversary of the Tsongas Industrial History Center, a unique partnership between UMass Lowell’s Graduate School of Education and the Lowell National Historical Park that educates thousands of schoolchildren and teachers annually about the American Industrial Revolution. Members of the public who would like to attend the free performance can RSVP by calling 978-970-5080 or e-mailing TIHC@uml.edu.
Where: Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market St., Lowell
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
KaagPriceless Books, Acclaimed Memoir They Inspired Are Centerpiece of Event
When: Thursday, March 9, 4 to 6 p.m. Rescheduled from Feb. 9.
What: A cache of priceless books, the memoir they inspired and how they transformed UMass Lowell Philosophy Prof. John Kaag’s life will be the centerpiece of a free event for the public and university community. Winning raves from the New York Times, National Public Radio and others, Kaag’s “American Philosophy: A Love Story” recounts his discovery of the Hocking Collection – rare editions of works penned by history’s greatest philosophers – and how his efforts led to UMass Lowell becoming the permanent home to more than 100 of the texts. The program will include a reading and book-signing by Kaag, a discussion of the extraordinary volumes in the Hocking Collection and a chance to see some of them, along with a question-and-answer session and reception.
Where: Allen House, South Campus, 2 Solomont Ave., Lowell
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu