(Photo courtesy of Aaliyah Afolabi) Buddy Valastro with his Lowell Bicentennial themed cake of City Hall Aaliyah Afolabi Connector Contributor Lowell, Massachusetts, was officially incorporated on March 1, 1826. Saturday, Feb. 28, marked two hundred years of this city’s establishment. The city celebrated the Bicentennial kickoff with an extra special WinterFest in Downtown Lowell. To celebrate Lowell’s two-hundredth birthday, the city planned a free day of festivities that…
Music professor Alan Williams releases new single
(Photo courtesy of Alan Williams) “Somewhere There’s a Train” cover art Benjamin Heffner Connector Editor Dr. Alan Williams, Coordinator of Music Business & Musicianship at UMass Lowell, released his newest single, “Somewhere There’s a Train,” on Friday, Feb. 20, along with an accompanying music video. Q: What went into the creative process? A: “Somewhere There’s a Train” is part of a new album coming…
Rowdy’s Esports Arena officially opens
(Photo courtesy of Benjamin Heffner) “The entrance to the new Rowdy’s Esports Arena in UCrossing” Benjamin Heffner Connector Editor Just in time for the start of spring semester, Rowdy’s Esports Arena, nestled below the entrance to the River Hawk Shop at University Crossing, has officially opened its doors for professional and casual gamers alike. Graham…
The shocking truth about textbook affordability
(Photo courtesy of State House) “Luke Van Horn, UMass Lowell MassPIRG Vice Chair” Luke Van Horn and Mass PIRG Students Connector Contributor “For all the students out there who have gone hungry because they purchased a textbook. For all the students who have failed classes because of expensive materials. For the hope that this broken market will be fixed one day,” said Luke…
Braven brings Accelerator course to UMass Lowell
Julia Magee Connector Editor The 2026 spring semester welcomes the new Braven Accelerator course, designed to prepare undergraduate students to successfully and confidently enter the workforce. The course consists of three main sections that support students’ progression working through their goals. Students meet on Thursdays from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. virtually, except for the first…
Shakespeare no longer required for Journalism and Professional Writing students
(Photo courtesy of Meg Moore) “Hamlet (Doug Harvey), Yorick (Geoffrey Barnes), and Ophelia (Austin Tichenor) in the Reduced Shakespeare Company production of “The Comedy of Hamlet! (a prequel)” at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, March 2025” Jesse Nguyen Connector Editor For any Journalism and Professional Writing (JPW) student enrolled in Fall 2025 and beyond, their English degree will no longer require them to take either classes ENGL.4230…
New list of “unprofessional” degrees from Trump
Tristin Henson Connector Staff There is a new list of “professional” and “unprofessional” degrees from Trump and his administration, which is in Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill that was signed into law on July 4, 2025. Recently there has been a buzz among students, especially undergraduate seniors and current graduate students who will be most impacted by this new law. The new…
Student spotlight: Immanuel Kelly (Manny), aspiring actor and creator of Disney Channel bully skits
(Photo courtesy of Immanuel Kelly) “Immanuel Kelly (Manny)” Jesse Nguyen Connector Editor At UMass Lowell, there are many students with inspiring stories and exciting careers. One of them is Immanuel Kelly, also known as Manny and @mannythemann1 on Tik Tok and @mannythemanzz on Instagram. He currently has 81.8 million likes on TikTok, and in just…
