More than 50 people logged onto Zoom Sept. 17 to celebrate Constitution Day with keynote speaker and Shippensburg University political science Professor Sara Grove.
Shippensburg University community members-along with others across the nation-celebrated the day by holding the annual Constitution Day lecture. Typically, the event is held in-person; however, the COVID-19 coronavirus pushed the event online this year.
During her keynote address, Grove expressed the importance of sharing the values of the Unites States with students.
According to Grove, Constitution Day is an American federal observance that is recognized each year on Sept. 17. The day reflects when the Constitution was signed in Philadelphia in 1787. The purpose of the day is to celebrate the body of law that is followed in the U.S. and to also celebrate citizenship in the country.
Grove spoke passionately about the importance of the constitution and the state of the current government.
She focused on the “blurred lines” of government in her lecture. Grove explained that blurred lines appear in government when the different branches of the government do not stay within their constitutional boundaries. While the lines may be blurred in the government, Grove was specific in describing how to build a strong public under the constitution.
Veronika D’Amore, a junior, said that Constitution Day is a reminder that her vote counts.
“The lecture just reminds me that if I want to see change, I need to let my voice be heard. Voting is how we see progress in this country and the Constitution wrote that out for us to follow.”
This was D’Amore’s first Constitution Day lecture and said she will join again next year.
Grove emphasized how important it is for students to get involved in government. One way she recommends is for students to look into public service careers. By building a strong civil service, the blurred lines will fade and the Constitution’s meaning will be fulfilled, Grove said.
While the lecture is an annual event, this was the first Constitution Day lecture held over a video call.
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