U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to Keynote Inauguration Ceremony

LOWELL, Mass., March 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, the highest-ranking elected woman in American history, will deliver the keynote address at the inauguration of UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan on Friday, April 4 at 10 a.m. Gov. Deval Patrick will be the featured speaker.

Other speakers include UMass President Jack Wilson; UMass Board of Trustees Chairman and UMass Lowell alumnus Robert Manning; state Sen. Steven Panagiotakos; and David Sargent, president of Suffolk University in Boston. A host of other national, state and local dignitaries will attend.

The inauguration, with the theme of "Building a New Vision Together: Excellence Through Innovation," is expected to raise significant funds for scholarships.

Signature events during inauguration week include:

-- "A Vision for Addressing Climate Change" - A panel including Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles and WBZ-TV meteorologist Mish Michaels will discuss their views. Monday, March 31, 9:30 a.m.

-- "Achieving Excellence Through Partnerships" - A look at UMass Lowell's internationally recognized partnerships with communities and businesses to solve problems and advance research. Tuesday, April 1, 7:30 a.m.

-- "Innovation for the Next Generation" - Research and business expertise bring innovative products from idea to market. Sycamore Networks Chairman Gururaj "Desh" Deshpande will speak; other participants are alums Michael Olivieri, publisher of the Boston Business Journal and Mass High Tech; Joseph Vaillancourt, a managing director of Waste Management of Hampton, N.H.; and Kenneth Steinberg, CEO and founder of Savant Protection of Nashua, N.H. Wednesday, April 2, 1 p.m.

-- M. Virginia Biggy Lecture Featuring Jonathan Kozol - Kozol, who promotes children's rights and equal access to quality public education, is the author of "The Shame of the Nation" and "Death at an Early Age." Wednesday, April 2, 4 p.m.

-- "Re-Envisioning Local, National and Global Security as if Women Mattered" - The Center for Women and Work marks its 10th annual Gathering at the Well, examining national issues for women. Thursday, April 3, 9 a.m.

-- "A New Vision for Peace: Creative Strategies for Responding to Gang Violence" - Linda Biehl, world-renowned peace and reconciliation expert who has worked with youth gangs in South Africa, headlines. Thursday, April 3, 1 p.m.

Exhibits on Meehan's time in Congress and work by UMass Lowell students will be presented along with a concert for students and the public by Gym Class Heroes.

For details on all events, visit http://www.uml.edu/inauguration.

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Source: University of Massachusetts Lowell

CONTACT: Christine Gillette of UMass Lowell Public Affairs,
+1-978-934-2209, christine_gillette@uml.edu

Web Site: http://www.uml.edu/

2008-03-26 16:39:41 0320598 PRNEWSWIRE