Several Penn State campuses will host events marking Constitution Day in September. All institutions of higher learning that accept federal funding are required by law to recognize Constitution Day annually in some form.
Constitution Day falls on Saturday, September 17 this year, and Penn State events are scheduled throughout the weeks of September 12 and 19.
Penn State University Park
On the University Park campus, the Constitution Day celebration will emphasize the role of “the people” in maintaining democracy. Students in the Civic and Community Foundations course will create educational posters focused on this central issue and will be online at an event from 2-4 p.m. on September 20 to answer questions and provide feedback on their posters.
Below is a complete list of Penn State’s Commonwealth Campus Constitution Day celebration events.
Penn Abington State
September 15
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Voter registration campaign
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Distribution of mini-constitutions
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Speaker: Moriah Hathaway, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Commission for Women
Penn StateAltoona
September 20
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Constitution Day facts displayed on digital screens around campus
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Distributed pocket constitutions
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Recite the preamble from memory for a chance to win a personalized Yeti cup (all students who are correct will be entered into a draw)
Penn State Beaver
September 16
The Penn State Beaver Student Government Association hosts a Constitution Day Outreach Table with staff, information, and mini-constitutions provided.
Penn State Berk
September 19
“Freedom of Speech and Constitutional Law,” a conversation with Michele Ramsey, Associate Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; noon, Monday, September 19, Perkins, MPR. Ramsey will discuss free speech from a constitutional law perspective, helping students understand what we as a university are able to do legally when hate groups visit campus and exercise their right to freedom of expression. During this time, students will also have the opportunity to paint activism magnets to take with them and create signs for the campus to use in a counter-protest, as a legal way to respond.
Throughout the month
Voter Registration Drive sponsored by the Berks’ Student Government Association, Sept. 1-30 (Monday-Friday) Perkins Lobby (11 a.m.-2 p.m.), Tully’s (5 p.m.-7 p.m.)
Penn State Brandywine
September 16
A voter registration and education campaign is scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Vairo Library.
Brandywine students, staff, and faculty members are invited to learn how to register and participate in Pennsylvania’s upcoming midterm elections on November 8, 2022. Additionally, Vairo Library staff will provide a special exhibit books on the Constitution.
September 17
Brandywine students, staff and faculty are invited to spend Constitution Day on a day trip to Philadelphia. They will visit the National Constitution Center as a group and then have time to explore the city on their own before returning to campus at 5 p.m.
Transportation to and from Philadelphia as well as admission to the National Constitution Center will be provided. Participants should gather at 9am sharp in the main campus parking lot for departure. Pre-registration for the Constitution Day Trip is required. Co-sponsored by the Multilingual and International Student Programs.
September 19
Learn the history of the Constitution with a focus on the First Amendment and free speech from Joshua Phillips, Associate Professor of Communication arts and sciences at Penn State Brandywine, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the Tomezsko Lounge. Lunch will be provided.
Penn State Du Bois
September 19-20
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Penn State DuBois will share a quiz form for students to complete to learn more about Constitution Day, its meaning and history. This form will be due on Tuesday, September 20, and names will be drawn for Constitution Day-themed prizes focusing on mini Constitutions.
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An all-new series of Community Conversations has been designed for students to learn leadership techniques that help them create a culture of engagement with the community as partners. In conjunction with Leadership Center County, there will be four sessions that will include a servant leadership theme, tips, ideas for breaking down barriers to engagement, a series evaluation tool, and an event planning guide. action and suggestions for local resources. The first focus of this series will be themed around and in celebration of Constitution Day on Tuesday, September 20, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., in building 209 DEF. Students will learn about the Constitution, civil speech techniques, as well as social media related news.
Penn State Erie, Behrend College
September 17
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The Behrend Lion Entertainment Board, in conjunction with the Student Government Association, will host a lunch table at 2 p.m. Students will be able to “sign” a giant constitution. SGA will also distribute small American flags and American pens.
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Civic and Community Engagement will host a table alongside LEB and SGA to discuss the importance of the upcoming midterm elections and encourage and assist students to register to vote.
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The Behrend Lion Entertainment Board will host a quiz show on the constitution and the United States via Neon Entertainment from 8-9 p.m.
Penn State Fayette, Eberly College
12-17 Sept.
Penn State Greater Allegheny
September 16
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Students will have the opportunity to receive a pocket constitution, compliments of the Office of Student Affairs.
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Voter registration campaign and bipartisan information tables sponsored by the Greater Allegheny Student Government Association and the campus library, with Chief Librarian Andrew Marshall.
Penn State Great Valley
Week of September 19
Penn State Great Valley will distribute purchased paperback copies of the Constitution to students to pick up before class during the week of September 19.
Penn Harrisburg State
September 16
The Student Government Association will be handing out pocket constitutions and cupcakes in the Olmsted lobby from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is supported by the School of Humanities and the School of Public Affairs.
Penn State Hazleton
Sept 11-17
A Constitutional Facts Poster Exhibit will be held in the Upper Butler Lobby.
September 14
A pocket giveaway will be held in the Upper Butler lobby from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and in the cafeteria from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
September 17
A trip to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia will be arranged for September 17. Students can enroll in Student Engagement, Butler, Suite 105.
Throughout the month
A voter registration drive, sponsored by the Penn State Hazleton Student Government Association, will take place in the Upper Butler Lobby from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and in the cafeteria from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Penn State Lehigh Valley
September 19
Penn State Lehigh Valley will distribute pocket constitutions and host a voter registration table. Students can also memorize certain lines of the Constitution and repeat them to win a prize.
Penn State Mont Alto
September 12-16
The Mont Alto Student Government Association will distribute pocket constitutions during lunch hour.
September 13
Penn State Mont Alto to host Constitution Day Bingo at 8 p.m.
September 19
An on-campus symposium on Constitution Day topics will begin at 12:20 p.m.
Penn New Kensington State
September 19
Penn State New Kensington will host a constitution table with pocket constitutions and trivia contests.
Penn State Schuylkill
September 19
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The film “In Search of Liberty (Education Edition)” will air from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hidden Stream Café located in the Student Community Center. This film focuses on the Constitution, including how and why it was created, what rights are included, and how its principles can be upheld.
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The constitution will be posted in the student community center.
September 20
Penn State Scranton
Sept 19 and 20
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Pocket constitutions will be distributed
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Promoting New Pennsylvania Voter Information Website
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An interactive “quiz” on social networks will be offered
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The constituent facts will be displayed on campus
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Constitution quiz will be offered via Kahoot
Penn Shenango State
September 17
September 19
Penn State Wilkes Barre
September 19-23
Pocket constitutions will be distributed in Student Commons and Nesbitt Library.
September 19
“Parady In Blue: Political Cabaret Show” will be held at Academic Commons starting at 7 p.m.
September 21
The Wilkes-Barre Student Government Association will sponsor a voter registration drive.
Penn York State
September 19-22
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Academic Affairs will distribute paperback copies of the Constitution (in English and Spanish).
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Library staff will organize ‘Constitution Day Trivia’ in conjunction with the York Student Government Association (SGA).
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Police and Public Safety will distribute snacks with a pun related to the Constitution.
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Student Affairs and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) will be co-sponsoring a two-hour training on “Making Your Vote Count”.