For immediate release — Sept. 15, 2008
(DALLAS) — The Dallas County Community College District will celebrate Constitution Day in September with programs, giveaways and entertainment on its college campuses. Lectures, a poetry contest, an essay contest and lectures on the U.S. Constitution are some of the activities planned. Eastfield College kicked off the observance on Sept. 10 with a lecture on the history and lessons contained in the U.S. Constitution, plus interactive discussion led by EFC government faculty members.
A list of colleges and their Constitution Day activities is provided below, in date order:
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Monday, Sept. 15, 2008 — Richland College
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Richland College will host a pre-Constitution Day activity in the Student Lounge. Students can join the signers of the Declaration of Independence by electronically signing a copy of the Constitution that they then can print out to keep. They also will receive a free booklet about the U.S. Constitution.
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Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008 — North Lake College (central campus, Irving)
10:30 to 11:30 a.m., cafeteria — North Lake College will host a program of activities that includes Irving High School ROTC Color Guards, performing under the direction of Maj. David Wirsig; NLC Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa honor society students participating as emcees in a discussion about the purpose of Constitution Day that includes poetry and essays; student Temekia Beasley of the NLC Jazz Band, who will perform musical selections; and refreshments. Activities are open to everyone.
Students who attend NLC’s new North Campus in Coppell will participate in a separate Constitution Day program on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
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Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 16 and 17, 2008 — Richland College
Tuesday, Sept. 16, room 103, Sabine Hall, at 11 a.m.; and Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 10:10 a.m., room 103, Sabine Hall — Ken Miyagishima, mayor of the city of Las Cruces, N.M., will discuss “Does the U.S. Constitution Guarantee the Rights of All Americans?” The free program, which is open to students and the community, features the first American of Japanese and Mexican descent elected to the mayor’s office in Las Cruces. Miyagishima will address racism in the U.S. and how multicultural, biracial Americans are elected to public office. The featured speaker graduated from New Mexico State University with a degree in finance and real estate and was elected to his current mayoral post in 2007. A reception welcoming Miyagishima to Richland College will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at from 2 to 3 p.m. in room 103, Sabine Hall.
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Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 — Brookhaven College
10:30 a.m., Student Services Center (Building S), lobby — Dr. Mark Chancey, professor and chair of the department of religious studies at Southern Methodist University, will deliver a free lecture, followed by an activity during which students and community members can “Explore the Separation of Church and State.”
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Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 — Mountain View College
11:15 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., room W38 — MVC government instructor Jonathon York will facilitate an interactive lecture on Wednesday, Sept. 17, titled “The Constitution Matters.”
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Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 — El Centro College
ECC Student Center — The day’s events begin with a voter registration drive during morning and afternoon hours, followed by music performed by ECC students at 10:30 a.m.; Constitution Jeopardy at 11 a.m.; lunch; and a swearing-in ceremony for new Student Government Association officers at 1 p.m. Fashion marketing students have created a Constitution display on the second floor of the C Building that can be viewed both days.
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Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008 — El Centro College
ECC Student Center and green space — “People Have the Power” is this year’s theme. Activities will include: a 9 a.m. poetry workshop with Olga Samples Davis; voter registration (all day); an 11 a.m. poetry event involving a performance by Davis and poetry by students and staff; ice cream and popcorn at 12:30 p.m.; and “Express Yourself” art from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
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Press contact:Ann Hatch
214-860-2478;
ahatch@dcccd.edu