UWF to host Constitution Day events

The University of West Florida will join the nation in commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Thursday, Sept. 17, by hosting three free public lectures and discussions examining the ideas, debates and historical traditions that shaped the U.S. Constitution and the nation’s founding. 

Constitution Day, also recognized as Citizenship Day, provides an opportunity to examine the Constitution’s foundational role in American government, individual rights and civic responsibilities while encouraging civic education, dialogue and engagement. By bringing nationally recognized scholars to UWF and downtown Pensacola, the events provide opportunities for the University and community to engage with important questions about the Constitution, republican government, citizenship and the ideas that shaped the American founding.

“Constitution Day at UWF gives our students and community a moment to look back at the ideas and arguments behind a system of government whose powers Madison recognized as few and defined,” said Dr. Zachary McCulley, program director of the Academy of American Civic Republicanism. “These events help us address that important issue of republican government: how to give political power sufficient strength to govern while preserving the liberty of the people.”

Beginning at noon, Dr. Paul R. DeHart, professor of political science at Texas State University, will present “Is There No Virtue Among Us?: Interest, Ambition and the Common Good in the Framer’s Constitutional Design” in the University Commons Conference Center. The lecture will examine the role of self-interest, ambition and virtue in the U.S. Constitution by drawing on debates surrounding the Constitution’s ratification and the Federalist essays. 

The program will continue at 3 p.m. when DeHart will be joined by James Hankins, professor of humanities in the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education at the University of Florida. DeHart and Hankins will present the public forum “Federalists or Anti-Federalists: The Verdict After 250 Years,” which will explore competing perspectives that shaped the debate over the Constitution and the nation’s founding. 

At 6:30 p.m., UWF will conclude its Constitution Day events at the Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center in downtown Pensacola. Hankins will present “The Constitution and the Western Republican Tradition,” which will explain the lessons from past republics that inspired the American Founders to create an unprecedented constitutional system that entrusted significant power to the people. Influences include Rome, Florence, Venice, the Netherlands and the British Commonwealth.

“Americans today sometimes think and speak about politics as if they can be easily reduced to a concern with acquiring power or supervising the fair allocation of resources,” said Dr. David Ramsey, professor and chair of the Reubin O’D. Askew Department of Government. “Our Constitution Day speakers this year will highlight the importance of a civic education concerned with the formation of character and the acquisition of political virtues such as courage, moderation, justice and prudence. These concerns have animated republican politics for much longer than 250 years and will continue to play a foundational role in any regime concerned with perpetuating human freedom.” 

Both DeHart and Hankins have led distinguished careers and are nationally recognized scholars. DeHart is the author of “The Social Contract in the Ruins: Natural Law and Government by Consent” and “Uncovering the Constitution’s Moral Design.” He is also co-editor of “Reason, Revelation and the Civic Order: Political Philosophy and the Claims of Faith.” His work has appeared in journals including Polity, Critical Review, Locke Studies, Perspectives on Political Science and National Affairs. Hankins has taught at Harvard University for the past 40 years. His main research interests are the history of Renaissance political thought, history of Platonic philosophy and history of the classical tradition.

The University of West Florida’s Constitution Day events are sponsored in part by the Academy of American Civic Republicanism, the Reubin O’D. Askew Department of Government and the Jack Miller Center. The evening program is made possible by funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Celebrate America! grant. The programming is intended for UWF students, faculty and staff, as well as alumni and members of the greater Pensacola community. All events are free and open to the public, but registration is requested. 

For more information on Constitution Day at UWF and to register for the events, visit uwf.edu/ConstitutionDay.