Campus Life

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Constitution Day, held each year on Sept. 17, will be marked with several events at Penn State campuses across the commonwealth. Established by federal law in 2004, it commemorates the U.S. Constitution on the day it was signed in 1787.

Penn State University Libraries has a number of online resources available to learn more about the Constitution.

In addition, Sept. 15 is National Voter Registration Day.

National Voter Registration Day — 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15, HUB-Robeson Center, First Floor

Celebrate registered voters and Penn State Votes' National Voter Registration Day event. The event will take place in the HUB between the TV lounge and the top of the grand staircase, with a dedicated voter registration station, Penn State Votes giveaways and activities, and cookies.

Civic Engagement Alliance Engage and Empower Expo — 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, HUB-Robeson Center

Join the Civic Engagement Alliance in the HUB as it celebrates the importance of the U.S. Constitution with Penn State's many civic engagement programs and organizations. From games and cookies to fireside chats with student leaders and civic experts, or even registering to vote, the expo will be a great opportunity to build civic awareness. From learning more about civic engagement, or even simply picking up a pocket constitution (yes, there will be free pocket constitutions!), the Engage and Empower Expo is the place to be.

Constitution Day tabling event — 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sept. 17, Port-Sky Café. Penn State Altoona's Student Government Association will be tabling to provide voting information and give out pocket-sized constitutions to any who visit.

Constitution Day Celebration — 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Perkins Lobby. Come celebrate Constitution Day! Constitution Day is celebrated annually on Sept. 17 and commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Join the Student Engagement and Leadership Office as we celebrate. Stop by to grab a pocket Constitution and a sweet treat! For more information, contact Kaitlynn Hamaty at kjh5385@psu.edu.

Constitution Day trivia — Noon-1:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, Vairo Building first floor. The Center for Social Impact will host an interactive trivia activity for students and the campus community with prizes available. Educational resources about the U.S. Constitution, individual rights, civic participation and voter engagement will be distributed.

ABA Traveling Exhibit & LibGuide — on display in Carlisle at the Dickinson Law campus starting next week and transition to University Park the last week in September. Penn State Dickinson Law is hosting the ABA Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress' traveling exhibit in both Carlisle and University Park. This year's exhibit is titled "250 Years of Independence: Fortifying America’s Commitment to Democracy for All." Our law librarians have put together an informative and interesting libguide to complement the exhibit theme.

"250 Years of Independence: Fortifying America's Commitment to Democracy for All" – 4–5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 22, Carlisle, Apflebaum Courtroom and Family Auditorium; simulcast with 249 Katz Building at University Park. Penn State Dickinson Law will welcome Constitutional scholar, author and Yale Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science Akhil Reed Amar to our Carlisle location. He will give a lecture on “250 Years of Independence” and take questions in the Apfelbaum Family Courtroom and Auditorium. This event is open to the entire law school community, including alumni. Registration is not required.

Constitution Day: Many Voices, One Constitution — 12:15-1:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, Hiller Student Union, Penn State DuBois. Students are invited to explore how the U.S. Constitution shapes the experiences, rights and voices of people from cultures and communities across America. Held during the campus' Cultural Connections Week, the event will feature an interactive Plinko-style trivia game testing students' knowledge of the Constitution. Pocket-sized copies of the U.S. Constitution also will be available. This event is open to Penn State DuBois students.

Constitution Day Program: The Constitution and the Rights We Value — 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16, Room 102, Educational Activities Building. Students are invited to hear from speakers Rep. Sheryl Delozier, Rep. Nathan Davidson and Rep. Justin Fleming. Seth Wright, assistant teaching professor of political science and public policy, will moderate the discussion.

Constitution Displays — Sept. 14-18, Upper Butler Lobby. A life-sized model of the U.S. Constitution will be on display along with educational displays that show some of the most historic moments leading up to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Pocket Constitution Giveaway — 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, Upper Butler Lobby. Pick up your own pocket-sized copy of the U.S.Constitution.

Constitution Day Celebration — 12:15-1:15 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 16, Great Hall. The Penn State Shenango Student Affairs Office is celebrating Constitution Day with a Bill of Rights trivia competition in the Great Hall during Common Hour. Also, students are encouraged to participate in a Constitution Day scavenger hunt around campus all day. Bring what you find to the Student Affairs Office in Sharon Hall to win a prize.