Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

12/08/2014

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 and click on “Media” at the top of the page. Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.

Sources of the week

UMass Lowell experts are available to discuss: 

  • How Prince William and Kate Middleton, who are visiting the U.S. this week, are transforming British royalty and why the public is fascinated by them; 
  • How Victorian literature has influenced modern-day holiday traditions; 
  • Year-end tax considerations for individuals and businesses; 
  • The year in review in politics, world health, terrorism, foreign policy, culture and the economy and a look ahead to 2015.

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

Robots to Rock Open House at the NERVE Center

When: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 6 to 8 p.m.

What: Demonstrations of robots being developed for research and the marketplace will be the centerpiece of a free public event at the New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation (NERVE) Center at UMass Lowell. Opened in 2012, the center is the country’s leading robotics testing facility, challenging the durability and agility of these machines through a variety of obstacle courses and activities simulating real-world situations. Interactive, kinetic sculptures made by UMass Lowell students as part of an artbotics course – which combines art, computer science and robotics – will also be on display. Members of the public interested in attending the event are asked to register in advance at http://nerve.uml.edu and anyone who has a robot they would like to demonstrate should contact Adam Norton at anorton@cs.uml.edu.

Where: New England Robotics Validation and Experimentation Center (NERVE), 1001 Pawtucket Blvd., 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 Program Provides Security Training to Hanscom AFB Workers

When: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m.

What: A new training program developed by UMass Lowell, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and MassDevelopment is enabling Hanscom Air Force Base employees to pursue training in the network security field. The initiative’s leaders will talk about why the new Network Security Workforce Development Partnership Program was created and its goals. Speakers during the event are scheduled to include UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan; Marty Jones, president and chief operating officer of MassDevelpment; and Col. Edward Masterson, deputy associate director for engineering and technical management, Hanscom Air Force Base.

Where: University Crossing, Room 480, 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

UMass Lowell Concert Band to Perform Classics

When: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.

What: A free, public performance by the UMass Lowell Concert Band will showcase the talents of the ensemble’s student musicians. Selections will include Howard Hanson’s “Chorale and Alleluia,” “Coronation March” from the opera “The Prophet” and the American folk ballad “Shenandoah.” The group will be conducted by Daniel Lutz, UMass Lowell’s director of university bands and a music faculty member.  

Where:    Durgin Concert 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

TV Star Returns to Alma Mater to Help Make Holidays Sparkle

When: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6 to 9 p.m.

What: Television host, interior designer and UMass Lowell graduate Taniya Nayak – best known for her work on HGTV and the Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible” – will talk about her design work, life at UMass Lowell, family and how she balances it all during an event for the campus community and the public. A question-and-answer session during the program will allow audience members to hear Nayak’s opinions about home-improvement and interior-design projects. A portion of the ticket proceeds will supports scholarships for UMass Lowell students Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased at http://alumni.uml.edu/homefortheholidays or by contacting the Office of Alumni Relations at 978-934-3140.

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

Huge Boston Marquee to Feature Artwork by Faculty Member

When: Opening reception, Thursday, Dec. 11, 6 to 8 p.m. Exhibit to run through Friday, Feb. 13, 2015

What: Digital imagery created by Ellen Wetmore, a faculty member in UMass Lowell’s Art Department, will appear on the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center’s 80-foot outdoor LED video screen in the coming weeks for the latest “Art on the Marquee” exhibit. A free reception will introduce the work of the nine artists contributing to the latest displays. A program of Boston Cyberarts and the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, the initiative solicits contributions that are judged by a panel of artists, curators and Boston Convention & Exhibition Center staff, which selects the winning entries. The art will be visible from a half-mile away, including from Summer, D and Congress streets, as well as from the hotels, restaurants and businesses in the Seaport District of Boston.

Where: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St., Boston

Contacts for media: Nancy Cicco, 978-934-4944, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu or Christine Gillette, 978-934-2209 or Christine_Gillette@uml.edu

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