Sessions on the rights to petition, peaceably assemble and free speech are just a few of the aspects of Wichita State University’s annual observance of Constitution Day.

The coordinator of the activities, Neal Allen, department chair and associate professor of political science, views events such as these as opportunities to reinforce the university’s role in upholding our nation’s democracy, providing an educational aspect, and allowing for community engagement.

“We are excited to have presentations from Wichita State students and faculty and some of our community partners — like Wichita City Councilman Brandon Johnson, Sedgwick County Republican Chair Dalton Glasscock, and Joy Eakins from the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce,” Allen said.

Constitution Day recognizes the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. In 2004, Sen. Robert Byrd (R–WV) wrote a requirement into the Omnibus Spending Bill that all educational institutions receiving federal funds are required to hold relevant educational activities for their students.

All events are free, open to the public and available via Zoom. For a complete listing of events and Zoom meeting information, please visit the Wichita State Constitution Day webpage.

Sept. 16, 2020

• What is the Constitution of WSU? @ 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
  Panelists:  Jay Price, department chair and professor of history; Neal Allen, department chair and associate professor of political science; Olivia Babin, speaker of the Student Government Association and Spring 2020 press intern for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
• Voter Registration Fair @ 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Keynote: Battin-Lester Panel on Free Speech in Public Places @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
  Student panelists: Courtney Minor, Odalis Vicenzio. Responders:  Joy Eakins, President, Cornerstone Data, Inc., Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce; Tim Norton, Executive Director Kansas Aviation Museum; Melody McCray-Miller, President and CEO of Millers, Inc. Sponsors: Dr. John Young and Kathleen Moran
• Washington, D.C./Topeka Internship Info Session @ 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Panelists:  Neal Allen, program director, and former DC/Topeka interns

 Sept. 17, 2020

• First Amendment:  The Right to Petition and Peaceable Assembly @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
  Panelists:  Brandon Johnson, Wichita City Councilman and Kansas Democratic Party Vice Chair; Dalton Glasscock, Sedgwick County Republican Party Chair; Jessica Lucas, Vice President, Watkins Public Strategies

Additional sponsors include Wichita State University Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College and the Department of Political Science.

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