U.S. Constitution Day to be Recognized on September 17

Washburn University and the School of Law will recognize U.S. Constitution Day on September 17, 2013.

Washburn University School of Law, the Center for Law and Government, and the Center for Excellence in Advocacy will host the Kansas Court of Appeals on Tuesday, September 17, 2013, for a special U.S. Constitution Day session in the Robinson Courtroom and Bianchino Technology Center.

Judges Thomas E. Malone, G. Joseph Pierron Jr., and Stephen D. Hill will hear oral arguments on several cases, with dockets at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Washburn Law students will be able to observe the oral arguments as part of their Legal Analysis, Research, and Writing courses.

The public is invited to the evening Constitution Day presentation by Professor Bill Rich titled, "The Gettysburg Address: Lincoln’s Framework for a New American Constitution." It will be held from 7:00 to 8:40 p.m. at the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center on the Washburn campus.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address highlighted the importance of equality, liberty, national unity and democracy. With respect to each of these topics, our original constitutional text had been found wanting, and resulting conflicts gave rise to the Civil War. In recognition of Constitution Day, Washburn University School of Law James R. Ahrens Chair in Torts and Constitutional Law Professor William “Bill” Rich will describe some of those early conflicts along with the Civil War Amendments to the Constitution that addressed them. Professor Rich will then move on to discuss ongoing struggles over the interpretation and implementation of this "new Constitution."

Attorneys may obtain two hours of CLE credit. The registration fee is $18.63 in recognition of the year of the Gettysburg Address. Individuals who would like to attend the event but not get CLE credit may do so at no charge without registering. Check-in on the day of the event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center. 

This event is part of Washburn University's year-long commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Washburn is proud to honor the contributions of our alumni, faculty, students, and the greater Topeka community which has and will continue to expand our understanding and appreciation for the principles of this watershed moment in the American civil rights movement.

For more information, contact Shawn Leisinger at shawn.leisinger@washburn.edu or (785) 670-2464.