FHU to Observe National Constitution and Citizen Day

To mark the 224th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution Freed-Hardeman University will celebrate National Constitution and Citizenship Day Friday, Sept. 16, at 1:30 p.m. in the FHU Commons with a roundtable discussion of the continuing relevance of the Constitution. Congress has designated Sept. 17 as Constitution and Citizenship Day to commemorate this important event in the country’s history. The day also recognizes all U.S. citizens and their responsibilities.

The roundtable will feature Dr. Jenny Johnson, dean of the Honors College; Dr. Greg Massey, chairman of the Department of History, Philosophy and Political Studies; and Dr. Stephen Morris, associate professor of political science. Springboard for the discussion will be an article in a June 23 edition of “Time” entitled “One Document, Under Siege” by Richard Stengel.

Institutions receiving federal financial aid are required by law to observe Constitution Day. “Even though it’s a federal mandate,” Johnson says, “it’s a great opportunity to talk to young adults about a document with which they may be unfamiliar.”

The discussion will follow a Socratic format that includes many questions and answers from the audience. “The Constitution is great fun to talk about,” Johnson says, “and it’s more fun because the participants don’t agree.” Johnson will moderate the discussion between Morris and Massey.

Morris encourages all students, faculty, staff, and the general public to attend, saying, “This event will be both a celebration and examination of America's charter. Patrick Henry once said, ‘The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government--lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.’”