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DifferenceMakers Gather to Showcase Entrepreneurship Program

When and where: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m. University Crossing, 220 Pawtucket St., Lowell

What: More than 100 UMass Lowell students, faculty, staff and alumni who participate in the DifferenceMaker program will share the stories behind successful businesses and nonprofits launched by students in all majors. Founded in 2012, the program has led to 33 companies and eight patents and last year, expanded to include the Rist DifferenceMaker Institute, which supports student co-ops, fellowships and competitions. Speakers at the event are expected to include Chancellor Jacquie Moloney and Steven Tello, UMass Lowell vice provost for graduate, online and professional studies, who together created the program, and alumnus Brian Rist, for whom the institute was named in recognition of his support for the program and UMass Lowell initiatives. Note: Registration for the public event is complete but the media is invited to cover it.

Perry Hall Plaza Opens to Campus and Public

When and where: Thursday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m., Perry Hall Plaza, North Campus, 1 University Ave., Lowell

What: UMass Lowell leaders, students, faculty and staff will open the new Perry Hall Plaza, the latest phase of the beautification of UMass Lowells North Campus. The plaza which features lawns and pedestrian-friendly walkways where there was once pavement and a parking lot is located outside Perry Hall and is named for alumnus Barry Perry and his wife, Janice, who have generously supported both the new plaza and the extensive renovations to the adjacent engineering building unveiled earlier this year, as well as student scholarships and other initiatives.

125th Celebration Salutes UMass Lowells Legacy, Present, Future

When and where: Thursday, Oct. 17, 5:30 p.m. UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, 50 Warren St., Lowell

What: UMass Lowells 125th anniversary celebration gala will honor the institutions history and look at whats to come for the university. Speakers are scheduled to include Chancellor Jacquie Moloney, UMass President Marty Meehan and Rob Manning, chairman of the UMass Board of Trustees, all of whom are UMass Lowell graduates. More than 400 people are expected to attend the event, which will include this years University Alumni Awards, recognizing eight UMass Lowell graduates who have gone on to professional and personal success. Note: The event is sold out, but members of the media are invited to cover it.

Event Unveils Rist Urban Agriculture Greenhouse and Farm

When and where: Friday, Oct. 18, 10:30 a.m. UMass Lowell East Campus, 69 Pawtucket St., Lowell

What: UMass Lowell will dedicate the Rist Urban Agriculture Greenhouse and Farm at an event that is scheduled to include an announcement about sustainability efforts by UMass Lowell, which ranks No. 1 among Massachusetts colleges and universities. The greenhouse and farm where UMass Lowell partners with community efforts including the Mill City Grows urban agriculture program is one of the university initiatives supported by alumnus Brian Rist, a Stoughton native who committed $5 million last year for sustainability, entrepreneurship and other programs. Speakers are scheduled to include Rist; John Lebeaux, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources; and UMass Lowell representatives including Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. Mill City Grows will have its mobile market on site.

River Hawks Soar into Homecoming

What: One celebration for every generation, River Hawk Homecoming will mark UMass Lowells 125th anniversary with events for alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, friends and the public. Unless otherwise noted, all events will be held at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Lowell. Family friendly activities include:

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UMass Lowell this Week: Events Honor Outstanding Alumni, 125th Anniversary - UMass Lowell