PRESQUE ISLE – Students and employees at Northern Maine Community College, as well as area community members, had the opportunity to take part in several activities on campus held to celebrate Constitution Day.
The cornerstone event of the day was a presentation by David Raymond, humanities instructor at the College, on the Constitutional powers of the president.
Constitution Day is held annually Sept. 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution by 39 men who changed the course of history. It is a time to reflect and continue the legacy established by those early Americans, developing habits of citizenship and civic responsibility in a new generation.
Raymond discussed the debate of the presidency at the Constitutional convention, the powers enumerated in Article II of the Constitution, and the subsequent amendments to the Constitution, which affect the presidency. He also gave a brief historical overview of the presidents who have helped define the office.
“I chose to speak about Article II because I felt that with the upcoming election, it is a good time to review the powers of the presidency as set down by the country’s early leaders,” said Raymond. “I was pleased with the turnout of students and members of the community both on and off-campus.”
Raymond plans to also lend his knowledge to a Web site being developed by students in his American Government class. The Web site is intended to help people better understand the campaign and the candidates’ positions on the various issues which Americans are facing. The site should be available soon.
In keeping with Raymond’s topic, NMCC students organized a voter registration drive in an effort to encourage awareness among students of the importance of voting.
“Promoting knowledge of the Constitution and voter registration is a great idea. Many people are not really aware of what their rights and responsibilities as citizens are,” said Meggan Pratt of Van Buren, a liberal studies and business administration major who helped to register voters. “I think it is great to educate them and see the difference it makes when they realize they have the right to exercise their own power.”
In a relatively short time period prior to and following Raymond’s presentation, student volunteers were able to register more than a dozen students to vote.
“There are so many people who believe their opinions won’t make a difference in society and don’t bother to vote. It is important for all of our voices to be heard, especially during this historical presidential election year,” said Katherine Pictou of Presque Isle, a business student who volunteered that day.
Pictou, who is the treasurer of the College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for students in two year colleges, and her fellow honor society members will also be staffing a registration table at the upcoming Fall and Winter Expo taking place Sept. 27-28 at the Forum in Presque Isle.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
STUDENTS at Northern Maine Community College hosted a voter registration drive as part of their Constitution Day activities Sept. 17. Above, liberal studies student Elizabeth Jalbert of Caribou helps Mary Daly of Fort Fairfield, a student in the College’s medical office administration program, register to vote.
