UND to celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 17
Naturalization ceremony, Electoral College panel discussion and other events will honor Constitution’s 237th birthday
On Tuesday, Sept. 17, UND will commemorate Constitution Day, honoring the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. Events will be held across campus, including at Memorial Union, Chester Fritz Library and the UND School of Law, with the goal of educating students and the community about the Constitution’s importance to American governance, history and life.
Listed below are the events, hosted at locations across campus.
Memorial Union Events
In 2022, UND President Andy Armacost established the tradition of holding naturalization ceremonies on campus. This year marks the third consecutive year such an event will be held on campus.
At 10 a.m. in the Memorial Union’s Henry Family Ballroom, 50 citizenship candidates from 27 countries will take the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens. U.S. Magistrate Judge Alice R. Senechal from the U.S. District Court for North Dakota will preside over the ceremony, which is open to all.
Additionally, Student Government will have an information table on the first floor of the Memorial Union from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help students learn about voting in this year’s elections.
Chester Fritz Library Events
Following the naturalization ceremony, the Chester Fritz Library will host a Constitution Day Trivia Contest in the second-floor study lounge at 11 a.m. Participants can test their knowledge of American history and government while enjoying snacks and refreshments.
From 1 to 4 p.m., also on the second floor, the library will host a Constitution Day Celebration. The event will feature an immersive photo experience re-creating the 1787 signing of the Constitution, a 50-state identification sprint contest and a State Flower art display. Snacks and drinks will be provided. All are welcome to attend both events hosted at the library.
UND School of Law/Nistler College of Business & Public Administration Event
The UND School of Law and Nistler College of Business & Public Administration will host a panel discussion on the Electoral College in the VandeWalle Courtroom, UND School of Law. Details of the event are as follows:
Picking the President: Understanding the Electoral College
When: Noon, Sept. 17.
Where: VandeWalle Courtroom, School of Law
Observe Constitution Day by exploring the issue that most flummoxed the Framers: how to pick the president. Editor Eric Burin (History) will provide a “sneak peek” of the forthcoming second edition of the open-access anthology, “Picking the President: Understanding the Electoral College;” contributor Mark S. Jendrysik (Political Science) will illuminate the Framers’ fear of foreign interference in presidential elections; and publisher William Caraher (History) will reflect on the volume’s production at The Digital Press at the University of North Dakota. Come learn why at the Constitutional Convention delegate James Wilson described this issue as “the most difficult of all on which we have had to decide.”
Panelists:
