The history and political science department at Missouri University of Science and Technology is sponsoring a Constitution Day celebration at noon Wednesday, Sept. 17, in the Havener Center on the Missouri S&T campus.

Sept. 17 was designated as Constitution Day by the United States Congress to commemorate the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787.

“My intention this year is to show that the Constitution has evolved and that it represents ever-expanding rights,” says Dr. Michael Meagher, associate professor of political science at Missouri S&T. “Everyone is covered by the rights contained in the Constitution – citizens and non-citizens alike.”

As part of the event, Salem Al Samrae, a senior in petroleum engineering, will read the Preamble to the Constitution at noon in the Havener Center atrium. Al Samrae worked for Kuwait Oil Co. for seven years before coming to Missouri S&T.

Introductory remarks will follow.

At 12:15 p.m. Craig Stevenson, director of federal relations for the University of Missouri System, will speak about the UM System’s role in harnessing Missouri talent in Washington, D.C., through its Congressional Fellows program.

Next, Nadia Bender, a senior in psychology from St. Robert, Missouri, will speak about her experience in the Congressional Fellows program. Bender, a native of Germany, worked in the Washington, D.C., office of Rep. Vicky Hartzler, of Missouri’s 4th Congressional District. She will also discuss the role of older voters in policymaking.

The history and political science department will provide refreshments.

For more information about Missouri S&T’s Constitution Day activities, contact Dr. Michael Meagher, associate professor of political science, at mmeagher@mst.edu or call 573-341-4342.