Piper Gullett
Reporter
September 23, 2005
Milligan College fulfilled its governmental requirement of observing Constitution Day with help from the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society.
Phi Alpha Theta took on the task assigned by the Milligan College Board of Trustees to educate fellow Milligan students on the importance of the Constitution.
Last Saturday’s daily campus-wide e-mail “On this day in Milligan History…” focused on Constitution Day. Dr. Ted Thomas, Phi Alpha Theta advisor, released the special edition that included background information about the Constitution. The e-mail contained information concerning the proposing, signing and ratification of the Constitution.
“It is important to be educated about the Constitution to fight ignorance, raise general awareness and appreciation,” said Thomas.
In addition to the e-mail, Phi Alpha Theta also released an educational video that ran on Milligan television.
“The campus channel is being used exactly as it should,” said Dr. Carrie Swanay, associate professor of communications. “Constitution Day is important, and we were able to help get this point across to students by utilizing the channel.”
Jessica Schiwitz, president of Phi Alpha Theta, contacted Tennessee Rep. Bill Jenkins to get 350 pocket-size constitutions for Milligan students. The constitutions are not yet at Milligan, but when they arrive students will receive them on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia sponsored a provision in 2004 stating that every school and college that receives federal money must teach about the Constitution on Sept. 17, the day the document was adopted in 1787.
No specific requirements were made for the celebration so each school is able to come up with various ways of celebrating Constitution Day. Schools across the country have taken this day of observation as an educational opportunity. Websites such as edHelper.com put out activities that include puzzles and books to help schools with the educational process.
“I hope that schools will develop many different, creative ways to enable students to learn about one of our country’s most important historic documents,” Byrd said.