Students and faculty from the Arkansas Tech University Department of History and Political Science participated in activities designed to increase awareness of the U.S. Constitution in conjunction with Constitution Day 2023.
Dr. Michael Rogers, ATU professor of political science, and 16 ATU students taught a U.S. Constitution lesson to every eighth grade history class at Russellville Junior High School on Friday, Sept. 15.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kelsey Utne, ATU assistant professor of history, and approximately two dozen ATU students spoke to third and fourth grade students at Dwight Elementary School about the document that established the United States of America.
The observance continued on Saturday, Sept. 16, with a public reading of the U.S. Constitution during Party at the Plaza tailgating in advance of ATU’s home football game that evening. Russellville Mayor Fred Teague was among the dignitaries who joined ATU students, faculty and staff in taking turns reading portions of the document.
Dr. Jeff Pearson, associate professor of history, coordinated the public reading.
The U.S. Constitution was adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pa., on Sept. 17, 1787.
In 2004, Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia championed a new law that designated Sept. 17 of each year as Constitution Day. Public schools and institutions of higher learning across the United States are required to provide educational programs about the document on Constitution Day.
Learn more about the ATU Department of History and Political Science at www.atu.edu/history.
