UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Constitution Day, Sept. 17, will be marked with several events at Penn State campuses. Established by law in 2004, Constitution Day is a federal observance that commemorates the U.S. Constitution on the day it was signed in 1787.
Sept. 17 is also National Voter Registration Day.
Penn State University Park
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., HUB-Robeson Center
- "Engage & Empower Expo" hosted by the Civic Engagement Alliance — The Office of Student Leadership and Involvement's program, the Civic Engagement Alliance, and student leaders will host RSOs (registered student organizations), University programs, and affiliate organizations who offer ways for Penn Staters to be civically engaged in ways that go beyond voting and political groups.
- Penn State Votes also will be standing up nonpartisan voter education and registration in a tandem event right next to the expo. Penn State Votes is a member group of the Civic Engagement Alliance and will be passing out pocket Constitutions.
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 3:30-5 p.m., Sutliff Auditorium, University Park campus
- "What Happened to Equal Protection Under the Law? A Conversation on the State of LGBTQ+ People and Rights in America" — presented by Penn State Dickinson Law and the Antiracist Development Institute (ADI).
Guest Speakers include Olivia Hunt, director of federal policy at A4TE, Advocates for Trans Equality; Erika Lorshbough, executive director at interACT, Advocates for Intersex Youth; Preston D. Mitchum, an award-winning Black queer attorney, advocate and activist, and former director of advocacy and government affairs at the Trevor Project.
This event will be held at Penn State Dickinson Law (see below for Carlisle details) and simulcast to University Park in the Sutliff Auditorium. RSVP here for "What Happened to Equal Protection Under the Law?"
Monday, Sept. 22, 3:30-5 p.m., Sutliff Auditorium, University Park campus
- “Higher Education at a Crossroads: What Universities Owe Democracy?" — hosted by Penn State Dickinson Law — Phillip Spector, co-author of "What Universities Owe Democracy," will be the guest speaker.
Spector cofounded the Peter Gruber Rule of Law Clinic at Yale Law School and previously served as vice president for Strategic Initiatives at Johns Hopkins University. He co-authored the book with Ronald J. Daniels, the president of Johns Hopkins University, and Grant Shreve, a senior writer in Johns Hopkins University's Office of the President. A Q&A will follow, led by Jud Mathews, professor of law, Penn State Dickinson Law; professor of political science, College of the Liberal Arts; and affiliate professor, School of International Affairs.
This event will be held in-person at University Park in the Sutliff Auditorium, with a Zoom option for remote attendance. It will be simulcast to the Apfelbaum Family Courtroom and Auditorium at Penn State Dickinson's campus in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with a Zoom option for remote attendance. RSVP here for "Higher Education at a Crossroads."
Penn State Altoona
Through Dec. 19
- Constitution display — In celebration of Constitution Day on Sept. 17, the Robert E. Eiche Library at Penn State Altoona has created a display with a period costume, a replica of George Washington’s copy of the Acts of Congress — which includes the Constitution and Bill of Rights — a copy of Thomas Paine’s "Common Sense," and a magazine from the era discussing the creation of the Constitution. Items were lended to the library by history professor Jared Frederick. Surrounding the case are posters displaying the entire Constitution, Bill of Rights and amendments.
Penn State Brandywine
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Trip to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia — The trip will help students gain a deeper understanding of the Constitution, voting and civic responsibility. Transportation and lunch will be provided. Sponsored by the Center for Social Impact. Open to Brandywine students.
Penn State Dickinson Law
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 3:30-5 p.m., Apfelbaum Family Courtroom and Auditorium
- "What Happened to Equal Protection Under the Law? A Conversation on the State of LGBTQ+ People and Rights in America" — presented by Penn State Dickinson Law and the Antiracist Development Institute (ADI).
Guest Speakers include Olivia Hunt, director of federal policy at A4TE, Advocates for Trans Equality; Erika Lorshbough, executive director at interACT, Advocates for Intersex Youth; Preston D. Mitchum, an award-winning Black queer attorney, advocate and activist, and former director of advocacy and government affairs at the Trevor Project.
This event will be held in-person at Penn State Dickinson Law with a Zoom option for remote attendance. It also will be simulcast to University Park in the Sutliff Auditorium. RSVP here for "What Happened to Equal Protection Under the Law?"
Monday, Sept. 22, 3:30-5 p.m., Apfelbaum Family Courtroom and Auditorium
- “Higher Education at a Crossroads: What Universities Owe Democracy?" — hosted by Penn State Dickinson Law — Phillip Spector, co-author of "What Universities Owe Democracy," will be the guest speaker.
Spector cofounded the Peter Gruber Rule of Law Clinic at Yale Law School and previously served as vice president for Strategic Initiatives at Johns Hopkins University. He co-authored the book with Ronald J. Daniels, the president of Johns Hopkins University, and Grant Shreve, a senior writer in Johns Hopkins University's Office of the President. A Q&A will follow, led by Jud Mathews, professor of law, Penn State Dickinson Law; professor of political science, College of the Liberal Arts; and affiliate professor, School of International Affairs.
This event will be held in-person at University Park in the Sutliff Auditorium. It will be simulcast to the Apfelbaum Family Courtroom and Auditorium at Penn State Dickinson with a Zoom option for remote attendance. RSVP here for "Higher Education at a Crossroads."
Penn State Harrisburg
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Olmsted Atrium
- Constitutions and Candy — Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Humanities, Student Government Association, and Young Americans for Freedom will be handing out copies of the Constitution and candy.
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., along College Avenue, beside the Student Enrichment Center
- Constitution Day Exhibit – American250PA Mobile Unit — The mobile unit features three interactive exhibits: Pennsylvania Pursuit, a trivia game that challenges visitors with questions about Pennsylvania’s history and key civics questions from the U.S. citizenship test; Keystone Quest, a retro-style video game adventure across Pennsylvania; and the Commonwealth Chronicles, a digital storytelling booth where visitors can record and share personal stories about their lives, histories, and hopes for the future. Additionally, there will be a prize wheel with giveaways for participants.
Penn State Scranton
Tuesday, Sept. 16, at noon
- The View Café will host a themed Kahoot! game for students, with Constitution-themed prizes, as well as free pocket-sized Constitutions and voter registration QR codes for students.