Release

UAlbany Celebrates Constitution Day with Distinguished Legal Scholars
Monday, Sept. 18, 2-3 p.m. in the Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center, uptown campus

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

ALBANY, N.Y. (September 13, 2006) -- The University at Albany will observe Constitution Day this year with a panel presentation featuring legal scholars debating the constitution and its impact on the country today.

Stephen Schechter, professor of political science and director of the Council for Citizenship Education at Russell Sage College; constitutional scholar Stephen Gottlieb of Albany Law School; and Thomas Church, chair of political science at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany, form the panel, which, with a nod to the late UAlbany president, will offer responses to the question, "What is it about the U.S. Constitution that inspires such scholars as Kermit L. Hall."

Hall, the 17th president of the University at Albany, a professor of history, and the author of more than 20 books on the U.S. legal system, died unexpectedly on August 13.

The session will be introduced by University at Albany Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan Herbst, and moderated by Jeffrey D. Straussman, dean of Rockefeller College. There will be a question and answer period following the main discussion.

The United States celebrates Constitution Day on September 17. The date was designated as Constitution Day by the Federal government in recognition of the completion and signing of the United States Constitution on that date in 1787. The University observation and panel discussion will be held in on Monday, September 18, 2-3 p.m. in the Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center, on the uptown campus.

The University has several activities planned to celebrate the day, including distributing pocket copies of the Constitution and a film showing of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" through out the residence halls.