Story and Source Ideas for Journalists

Crops growing in the greenhouse on East Campus Image by Ed Brennen
UMass Lowell will offer a tour for the public of the university’s greenhouse and surrounding land on East Campus where students and faculty are working with community members and organizations to grow organic vegetables and other crops year-round with a focus on sustainability on Friday, April 20 at 3 p.m.

04/17/2018

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 Please note that contact names below are for the media and are not for publication.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

  • Rapper Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize for his groundbreaking work and what the award signals for popular music;
  • Bertucci’s bankruptcy filing, the woes faced by the casual-dining sector and how the restaurant can rebound;
  • Earth Day and the top five things people can do around the house to improve the environment.

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

Free Concerts Spotlight Noteworthy Talent, Musical Genres 

Where: Durgin Hall, South Campus, 35 Wilder St., Lowell

What: UMass Lowell’s student musicians and members of the community will share their talents in free programs for the campus and public. Events include:

  • Percussion Ensemble – Students will perform an eclectic blend of musical selections. Tuesday, April 17, 8 p.m.
  • Jazz Rock Big Band – The group, which also performs at UMass Lowell ice hockey games as the pep band, will play works by Billy Strayhorn, Stan Kenton and others. Thursday, April 19, 8 p.m.
  • University Orchestra – UMass Lowell students, faculty, alumni and musicians from the community will perform traditional and contemporary compositions. Friday, April 20, 8 p.m.

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

Earth Day Events Promote Sustainability, Civic Engagement

What: The Lowell Earth Month Celebration highlights UMass Lowell and community initiatives that promote environmental stewardship, education, the arts and culture. Free, public events include:

  • Festival of Learning Opening Ceremony – Representatives of UMass Lowell and Cork, Ireland will kick off efforts to see Lowell become a UNESCO-designated City of Learning. Speakers will include faculty from University College Cork, who will talk about both the City of Learning and deliver the educational presentation, “What Brexit Means for Ireland.” Wednesday, April 18, 6 p.m., Mayor’s Conference Room, Lowell City Hall, 375 Merrimack St., Lowell
  • “The Sustainable Urban University” – Means of pursuing carbon neutrality and adopting renewable energy and green building strategies will be discussed by representatives of UMass Lowell, University College Cork and Lowell and Boston city officials. UMass Lowell has been honored for its sustainability efforts at the national, state and local levels. Thursday, April 19, noon, University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell
  • Urban Agriculture and Greenhouse Tour – UMass Lowell will offer a tour for the public of the university’s greenhouse and surrounding land on East Campus where students and faculty are working with community members and organizations including Mill City Grows to grow organic vegetables and other crops year-round with a focus on sustainability. Friday, April 20, 3 p.m., UMass Lowell Greenhouse, behind Donahue Hall, 91 Pawtucket St., Lowell
  • Earth Day Parade and Festival – UMass Lowell and a variety of community organizations will participate in the parade, followed by a festival featuring live music, sustainability exhibits and more at United Teen Equality Center (UTEC). Sunday, April 22, beginning with the parade at 12:30 p.m. at the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market St., Lowell, wends its way through downtown and ends at UTEC, 35 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 

Holocaust Survivor Aided by Schindler’s List to Speak

When and where: Wednesday, April 18, 6:30 p.m. Alumni Hall, North Campus, 84 University Ave., Lowell

What: Holocaust survivor Rena Finder will share how she escaped Nazi-occupied Poland with the help of Oskar Schindler. A businessman credited with saving more than 1,000 people from genocide during World War II, he was the real-life inspiration for the film “Schindler’s List.” Open to the public, the free program is presented by the Catholic Student Union during the Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust. The event is a national observance that honors the genocide’s victims and educates people about its causes.

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

‘Boundaries and Intimacies’ Showcases Students’ Artwork

When and where: Artists’ reception, Thursday, April 26, 6 p.m. Exhibit on display through Thursday, April 26. Mahoney Hallway, first floor, Mahoney Hall, South Campus, 870 Broadway St. Lowell 

What: “Boundaries and Intimacies,” a free exhibit of sculptures and installations by UMass Lowell art and design students, will showcase their talents for the public and campus community. Participating students, who will talk about their inspiration and creative process at an artists’ reception, hail from Billerica, Dracut, Hamilton, Lexington, Medway, Methuen, Rutland, Townsend, Westford, Weston and Woburn. The exhibit is open Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members of the public who would like more information should email Deborah_Santoro@uml.edu. 

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

Program Examines Portugal’s Place in the European Union

When and where: Friday, April 27, 1 p.m. Allen House, South Campus, 2 Solomont Way, Lowell 

What: The talk “Portugal, Europe and Democracy” will be presented by Nuno Severiano Teixeira, a scholar and author who has served as Portugal’s minister of the interior and minister of defense, among other roles. The free event for the campus and community is presented by the UMass Lowell Saab Center for Portuguese Studies. Members of the public who would like more information should contact Natalia_Melo@uml.edu.

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

Democratic Candidates Square Off in 3rd District Debates

When and where: Sunday, April 29, noon and 2 p.m. Durgin Hall, South Campus, 35 Wilder St., Lowell

What: Democrats running for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Massachusetts’ 3rd District will participate in debates presented by UMass Lowell’s Center for Public Opinion and the Boston Globe. The 13 candidates in the Democratic primary who are vying for the seat held by U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, who is retiring, have been invited to participate; because of the large number, they will be divided into two debates. Because only one Republican is currently running, no debate for that party’s primary will be held. Tickets are not required for the free event, but members of the public who wish to attend may RSVP by emailing debate@uml.edu. Free parking will be available in the Wilder Lot across the street from the venue. 

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

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