Students, faculty and staff are invited to bring along a beverage while they peruse the Constitutional Amendments interactive display in Reed Library during the month of September, in observance of Constitution Day on Sept. 17.
Visitors are asked to identify and place a sticker on the Constitutional Amendment that means the most to them. Every student who interacts with the exhibit can enter to win one of two $25 Starbucks gift cards. Faculty are also invited to bring their classes to the exhibit, which is located along the curved wall that leads to the Garden at Reed.
“I hope students take a few minutes to engage with their Constitution through the amendments and become inspired that change is possible through ‘We the people’.” – Kerrie Wilkes
“We hope people could bring their own beverage to ‘sip’ while they ‘stroll’ the exhibit,” explains Department of Communication Associate Professor Angela McGowan-Kirsch. “Then, students who ‘stroll’ can enter to win a gift card at Starbuck,” added Dr. McGowan-Kirsch, who is chair of the American Democracy Project.
Constitution Day commemorates the formation and ratification of the U.S. Constitution by the Founding Fathers.
It’s entirely fitting that a library – a bedrock of a free society that provides access to reliable information and a safe space in which to engage in civil discourse – hosts the display, said library Director Kerrie Wilkes.
“The freedom to read is embedded in the First Amendment, which is my favorite,” Ms. Wilkes added. Each amendment has been made possible because of voter engagement.
“Now more than ever, this living document should inspire and challenge us to become involved and vote,” Ms. Wilkes said. “I hope students take a few minutes to engage with their Constitution through the amendments and become inspired that change is possible through ‘We the people’.”
The exhibit is co-sponsored by the American Democracy Project and Reed Library with support from the Carnahan Jackson Fund for the Humanities of the Fredonia College Foundation. Voter registration forms will be available at the exhibit.
