Story and Source Ideas for Journalists
04/02/2018
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 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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.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:
- Why objects in space fall to Earth – like a Chinese space station did last night – and what scientists can do to prevent it;
- How foreign tariffs announced today on more than 120 U.S. goods threaten the economy and could fuel a trade war;
- President Trump’s escalating Twitter attack against Amazon – one of the nation’s largest retailers – for its use of the U.S. Postal Service.
Contact UMass Lowell media relations if you need an expert source on any subject.
Nobel Peace Prize Winner to Lead Day Without Violence
When and where: Tuesday, April 3, 12:30 p.m. University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell
What: Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkol Karman, UMass Lowell’s 2018 Greeley Scholar for Peace Studies, will lead the university’s annual Day Without Violence, a free program for the campus and public, where she will deliver a keynote address on non-violence as a means of struggle, change and success. In recognition of her efforts in women’s rights, democracy and peace in Yemen, Karman became the first Arab woman and second-youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Known as “the lady of the Arab Spring,” Karman is the head of Women Journalists Without Chains.
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
‘Lusophone Voices’ Showcases Works of Portuguese Poet
When and where: Wednesday, April 4, 12:30 p.m. Allen House, South Campus, 2 Solomont Way, Lowell
What: “Lusophone Voices” will feature readings and conversation with award-winning writer Rosa Alice Branco, a leading Portuguese-language poet who has published 11 collections of writing around the world. Joining her will be Alexis Levitin, a scholar who translates works from Brazil, Portugal and Ecuador. A book-signing and reception will follow the program. Open to the campus and community, the free event is presented by UMass Lowell’s Saab Center for Portuguese Studies, Department of English, Department of Philosophy and Jack and Stella Kerouac Center for Public Humanities.
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Free Concerts Spotlight Noteworthy Talent, Musical Genres
Where: Durgin Hall, South Campus, 35 Wilder St., Lowell
What: UMass Lowell’s student musicians, along with K-12 schoolchildren throughout the community, will share their talents in free programs for the campus and public. Events include:
- Early Music Concert – Works from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras will be performed by student vocalists and instrumentalists. Wednesday, April 4, 8 p.m.
- The Hawkettes – This student-run, women’s vocal group will sing a cappella renditions of pop hits. Saturday, April 7, 7 p.m.
- Small Jazz Ensemble – UMass Lowell music majors will play traditional and contemporary selections. Tuesday, April 10, 8 p.m.
- The String Project Spring Showcase – Lowell public schoolchildren learning to play classical stringed instruments will demonstrate their budding abilities. Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m.
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Model UN Tests Debate Skills of High-School Students
When and where: Thursday, April 5, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell
What: More than 150 high-school students from throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire will debate international issues while developing their researching, writing and public-speaking abilities at the Model United Nations Conference. Participants in the simulation will learn about their respective nations’ involvement in selected issues, test their negotiation skills and advance the position of their states. The competition’s championship round will be held Thursday morning followed by an awards ceremony. The conference is presented by the Dean Bergeron International Relations Club, a UMass Lowell student organization named in honor of the political science and history professor emeritus who served as first faculty adviser to the annual event.
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Forum Highlights How Seniors Can Live Well, Stay Healthy
When and where: Friday, April 6, keynote address 9:15 a.m., forum runs until 1:30 p.m. Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center, North Campus, 40 University Ave., Lowell
What: The Healthy Aging and Living Well Forum will feature research conducted by UMass Lowell faculty on topics including nutrition for older populations, elder residential communities and best practices in home care for senior citizens. Michael Festa, director of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Massachusetts, will deliver the keynote address about the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act, new state legislation that requires hospitals to inform designated caretakers about the medical needs of elderly patients once they leave the hospital. The event is presented by the UMass Lowell Center for Gerontology Research and Partnerships.
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Festival Celebrates Asian American Cultures
When and where: Friday, April 6, 8 p.m. Durgin Hall, South Campus, 35 Wilder St., Lowell
What: UMass Lowell’s 2018 Asian American Cultures Festival will unite the community to celebrate diversity and the immigrant experience. The event will feature a staging of “Preah Thoung Neang Neak (Origins of the Cambodian Wedding),” a performance by the Angkor Dance Troupe accompanied by the UMass Lowell World Music Ensemble and a multimedia show by Flying Orb Productions. Admission is free for UMass Lowell students, faculty and staff with a university ID and $10 per person, cash only at the door, for the public. Event proceeds will benefit the UMass Lowell Center for Asian American Studies and Flying Orb Productions.
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
5K Race to Raise Awareness About Climate Change
When and where: Saturday, April 7. Event check-in begins at 8 a.m., race starts at 10 a.m. Sampas Pavilion, 160 Pawtucket Blvd., Lowell
What: Athletes of all abilities will participate in UMass Lowell’s 5K Climate Race, an event to raise awareness and funds for the university’s Center for Wind Energy, Energy Engineering Program and Climate Change Initiative. These groups are researching innovations in these fields and educating the campus and public about the importance of reaching carbon neutrality.
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Prospective Graduate Students Invited to Open House
When and where: Sunday, April 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell
What: Working professionals and others considering graduate school will visit UMass Lowell to speak to university representatives about everything they need to know about pursuing one of the 42 master’s or 36 doctoral degrees, or more than 70 graduate certificate programs, which are available on campus, online or in a format that combines both options. UMass Lowell’s graduate programs are nationally accredited and highly ranked for quality and return on investment by U.S. News & World Report and PayScale.com, among others. Members of the public should visit www.uml.edu/Grad/events/open-house.aspx for more information.
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu
Educators Aim to Bring Hip-Hop, Social Justice to the Classroom
When and where: Wednesday, April 11, keynote address, 4:30 p.m. UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell
What: How hip-hop music helps shape the social, cultural and political beliefs of young people in urban communities will be the centerpiece of the UMass Lowell College of Education’s annual conference on teaching and learning for educators on campus and in the community. Bettina Love – an award-winning scholar whose research on the use of hip-hop in education is providing new approaches to teaching young people – will deliver the keynote address. Other sessions at the event will explore how to integrate social-justice issues into educating K-12 and college students.
Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209, Christine_Gillette@uml.edu