Constitution Day is a symbolic time of remembrance for the binding of our country. Whether we consciously recognize its importance or not, the Constitution shapes and protects the rights and freedoms of Americans each day. From the simplest actions and daily tasks, Americans are continuously secured by the amendments that uphold justice for all. September 17th each year is a time to recognize the Constitution. This past week Culver- Stockton held an innovative hands-on experience with students and faculty to better understand the Constitution’s long-lasting impact.
Junior and political science major Gabby Beffa emphasized her experience with the event, finding it engaging and educational. “After running through a simulation of how the electoral college works I was able to see firsthand how a state’s population can influence electoral outcomes. Overall, I truly enjoyed this exercise and believe that it helped students to understand the complex processes of the electoral college,” says Beffa.
This year Constitution Day was particularly interesting as the activities were tied to the relevance of the upcoming presidential election. This innovative approach allowed students to engage visually and clearly in seeing the principles and fundamentals of the Constitution. In contrast to Beffa, Junior business administration student Kaden Fugate resonated with Constitutions Day on a more individual standpoint and relevance to the election as a voter, stating, that his perspective changed, “ My mind changed about voting and if my vote actually matters,” says Fugate.
For many students, Constitution Day is not a familiar topic past basic schooling of American history, however, for junior student and political science major Gabby Beffa, who is already well-versed in the field, she still found the event to be intriguing and eye-opening to concepts. Beffa states, “I feel that I had a strong understanding of the electoral college system prior to the event, but I was still able to walk away with a deeper understanding of how the presidential election occurs. One of the biggest things I learned was the specific mechanics of assigning electoral votes to states based on their population. This helped students to understand how the electoral college balances out at the end of the election.” Beffa goes further to touch on the topic of popular votes stating, “The contrasting results of popular votes vs. electoral votes highlighted the complexities of democracy and helped to emerge myself and my peers in the simulation fostering a collaborative learning environment,” says Beffa.
The ACE event was led by Professor Dr. Giltner and Professor Dr. DeWaard, both of whom contributed to making Constitution Day a successful learning experience for students. Professor DeWaard frequently holds ACE events throughout the semester, often focusing on related topics to American and international affairs. For those interested in further exploring topics or staying informed on upcoming campus events, such as Constitution Day, follow Wildcat Wire as a great day to stay engaged with campus life.
