UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State community is invited to celebrate Constitution Day with events at 21 campuses.
Public colleges and universities mark Constitution Day each year with events and education. Constitution Day is a federal observance that commemorates the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, the day the Constitution was signed in 1787. Constitution Day was established by law in 2004. Sept. 17 is also National Voter Registration Day.
Penn State University Park
At the University Park campus, there will be a “Celebration of Our Rights” event to mark Constitution Day, Citizenship Day and National Voter Registration Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 17 in the HUB-Robeson Center, in the level one lounge area.
The event, sponsored by PSU Votes and Penn State Student Affairs, will feature Penn State merchandise and gift cards and a fair for offices and organizations to show how their work at Penn State intersects with the Constitution.
Penn State Abington
Tuesday, Sept. 17
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11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., PA League of Women Voters voter registration, Sutherland Plaza/Lares
- “Engaged Citizenship: Reflections on the First Amendment, Civil Discourse and Civic Engagement.” This panel discussion will be led by Representative Benjamin Sanchez and hosted by Nicole Stokes, professor of sociology. The goal of this event is to engage the campus community in a non-partisan candid conversation about the U.S. Constitution and using civil discourse skills to engage in active citizenship. The discussion will explore how to maintain respectful dialogue and active listening even when we disagree.
- SGA and Student Affairs voter registration drive through October
- Pocket Constitution distribution all week
Wednesday, Sept. 18
- 11 a.m-1:30 p.m., MontCo Women Voter Registration, Sutherland Plaza
- 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., virtual community event advertised by PHENND
- CEA Government 101: Learn how the federal, state and local government works at this month's Civic Engagement Academy. This will be facilitated by the Committee of 70, who will give special attention to helping people become more informed and why our votes matter.
Penn State Altoona
Tuesday, Sept. 17
- Campus-wide email about the relevance of the federal observation day
- Banner displayed at campus pond of the Preamble
- Constitution Day facts displayed on digital screens around campus
- Pocket Constitutions distributed
Penn State Beaver
Tuesday, Sept. 17
Beaver’s Student Government Association and Student Affairs will hold a Constitution Day awareness table with staffing, information and pocket Constitutions provided.
Penn State Behrend
Tuesday, Sept. 17
- The Behrend Lion Entertainment Board in collaboration with the Student Government Association will be hosting a table.
- Students will be able to “sign” a giant Constitution and pick up small American flags and USA pens.
- In-person Constitution Day Trivia Game
Penn State Berks
Monday, Sept. 16
Randall Newnham, professor of political science, will deliver a campus-wide talk, “The U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.” The talk will cover the categorization of a constitutional "amendment," added only after the Constitution was completed. Newnham also will discuss the work of George Mason, a lesser-known founder of the United States, and the political battles that resulted in the creation of the Bill of Rights.
Student Affairs will cater Constitution Day themed cupcakes and hot apple cider for the event.
Penn State Brandywine
Tuesday, Sept. 17
- A voter registration and education information table will be located outside of the library. Brandywine students, staff and faculty members are invited to learn how to register and participate in the upcoming national election.
- Vairo Library’s staff will offer a special display of books on the Constitution.
Penn State Dickinson
Tuesday, Sept. 17
Derek Black, professor of law, Ernest F. Hollings Chair in Constitutional Law, Carolina Distinguished Professor, and Director of the Constitutional Law Center at University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law will present “Public Education and Constitutional Democracy: Are the Bonds Fraying?” at 2 p.m. in Room 114.
Penn State DuBois
Tuesday, Sept. 17
- Visit a table in the Student Union to learn more about Constitution Day, play trivia, win prizes and pick up pocket Constitutions.
- Voter registration and information tabling will take place Oct. 14-18, Oct. 28 and Nov. 5.
Penn State Fayette
Sept. 16-20
- Students will receive a link to an online trivia contest via Qualtrics with 20 questions about the U.S. Constitution. Those who submit correct answers will be entered in a drawing for a $50 bookstore gift card.
- Students will have the opportunity to receive a pocket-sized U.S. Constitution compliments of the Office of Student Affairs.
Penn State Great Valley
Sept. 16-20
Penn State Great Valley will be promoting information about Constitution Day and will be distributing pocket Constitutions before classes during the week of Sept. 16.
Penn State Greater Allegheny
Tuesday, Sept. 17
There will be a U.S. Constitution trivia game at Café Metro with giveaways and prizes available for winners.
Penn State Harrisburg
Sept. 17-23
- The Student Government Association and Political Science Club will hand out pocket Constitutions and candy in the lobby of Olmsted at noon Sept. 17. This event is supported by the School of Humanities, School of Public Affairs and Student Affairs.
- Marvin Overby, director of the School of Public Affairs, will present “What the Bill of Rights Got Wrong” on Sept. 23 in the Gallery Lounge.
Penn State Hazleton
Sept. 16-20
- A life-sized display of the Constitution will be on display in Upper Butler Lobby
Monday, Sept. 16
- “Constitution Trivia” sponsored by the Student Government Association will be held in the Upper Butler Lobby during the common hour
- Pocket Constitution giveaway in the Upper Butler Lobby from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 17
“The Value of Free Speech” program will be held at Center for Multicultural Engagement during the common hour. This event will help to foster a vibrant intellectual community where the open exchange of ideas thrives. This program champions academic freedom by providing a platform for students and faculty to explore diverse perspectives, engage in meaningful dialog and cultivate critical thinking skills. The University's new Free Speech website and resources will be covered.
Sept. 1-30
The Student Government Association will sponsor a voter registration drive at various times and locations all month.
Penn State Lehigh Valley
Tuesday, Sept. 17
- Pocket Constitution distribution in Center Hall
- Kahoot! game show at noon in the cafe
- Recite select lines of Constitution to win a prize
- Voter registration information available
Penn State Mont Alto
Tuesday, Sept. 17
- The Campus Symposium discussion will center around the question “What criteria besides academics should colleges consider in making admissions decisions?” Join for a conversation about affirmative action, legacy admissions and balancing fairness with diversity in higher education.
- Pocket Constitution distribution with flag cookies by Student Government Association.
Penn State New Kensington
Tuesday, Sept. 17
- Student life will distribute pocket Constitution booklets and red, white and blue cupcakes.
- Student Government Association will encourage voter registration in Café with a tabling event.
Penn State Schuylkill
Tuesday, Sept. 17
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Voter registration drive from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Student Community Center
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Framed Constitution displayed in the Student Community Center
Penn State Scranton
Tuesday, Sept. 17
- Constitution display in the View Café
- Pocket Constitution distribution
- Constitution facts posted in high-traffic areas around campus
- Students will receive an email with a description of Constitution Day facts and a trivia question. Any student who responds correctly will be entered into a drawing.
- A Kahoot! trivia game will be presented and hosted by the Student Government Association.
- The Library will host a Constitution week raffle. Students must come to the Library and state their favorite amendment and why or recite the preamble to be entered. At the end of the week, a name will be drawn to receive Penn State University Libraries swag.
Penn State Shenango
Monday, Sept. 16
Civil discourse and Constitution round table
Tuesday, Sept. 17
Phil Nash, professor of history, will present during the common hour in the Great Hall about the Constitution. Immediately after the presentation, Nash will host a “game show” with Constitution-related questions.
Wednesday, Sept. 18
Student Affairs will have Constitution trivia questions hidden around campus that have them come to Student Affairs to answer. If answered correctly the students will win a prize.
Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Tuesday, Sept. 17
- Students can pick up a pocket Constitution, learn about their rights and play trivia from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Student Commons.
- Voter registration
Thursday, Sept. 19
- Register to vote in the Student Commons from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Students should bring their state identification or Social Security number to register.
- Kahoot!: U.S. Constitution
Friday, Sept. 20
U.S. Constitution trivia in Kahoot! Will be held from 12:15-1:15 p.m. in the Student Commons.
Penn State York
Tuesday, Sept. 17
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Academic Affairs will be distributing pocket Constitutions in English and in Spanish.
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The Library staff will have a Constitution Day display with selected readings.
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Student Affairs will conduct a voter registration drive.