American Democracy Project at JSU Archive

Organizers and attendees of the 2005 Constitution Day Celebration held on Friday, September 16 in Houston Cole Library (photo - Randy Wilson).

Political Science Professor and American Democracy Project Campus Coordinator Dr. Lori Owens addresses the audience in attendance. (Photo - Farshad Makari Poor)

The 2009 Constitution Day Celebration featured a panel including: Doug Jones (former federal prosecutor), Sam Monk (retired circuit judge), Brian McVeigh (chief assistant district attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit), and Randall Payne (defense attorney). These panelists discussed the 4th Amendment - the right to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Two of the four 2009 Constitution Day Celebration panelists: Brian McVeigh (chief assistant district attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit, right) and Randall Payne (defense attorney, left)

On April 20, 2010 Jacksonville State University hosted a forum for the candidates vying for the Office of Governor in Alabama. Candidates in attendance: Bradley Byrne (R), Artur Davis (D), Bill Johnson (R), Roy Moore (R), James Potts (R), and Ron Sparks (D).

Stephen Black, President and Founder of Impact Alabama (a non-profit student service initiative, focused on developing and implementing substantive service-learning projects at universities and colleges throughout the state), speaks to the 2010 Constitution Day attendees in the Houston Cole Library.

The Alabama Supreme Court convened in Special Session at JSU on March 31, 2011 at 9 am. on the 11th floor of the Houston Cole Library to hear oral arguments in Slagle v. Ross et al. As the Supreme Court members were seated, Dr. Lori Owens addresses the audience. (Photo - Jacksonville State University)

Alabama Attorney General The Honorable Luther Strange speaks to a full-capacity room in the Houston Cole Library as the guest speaker at the 2011 Constitution Day Celebration on September 19 of the same year. (Photo - Steve Latham)

On the 225th Anniversary of the Constitution, the 2012 Constitution Day Celebration featured Marc Ayers (from the law firm of Bradley Arant Boult and Cummings) and Bryan Fair (from the University of Alabama School of Law). The event centered on the topic of why our constitution still matters.

Students from across campus gathered in Leone Cole Auditorium on October 16 to watch Democratic Presidential Candidate Barak Obama debate Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney in the second Presidential Debate on the campus of Hofstra University.

Two former members of Congress spoke to an audience of students, faculty and staff during the annual Constitution Day activities. Former Rep. Sue Kelly, a New York Republican (1995 - 2007), listens as former Rep. Earl Hutto, a Florida Democrat (1979 - 1995), speaks.

The 2015 Constitution and Citizenship Day Celebration featured Mrs. Georiga Calhoun, Dr. William Harbour, and Mr. Pete Conroy. Mrs. Calhoun (foreground) is the founder of the Black Heritage Festival at the Anniston Museum of Natural History. Dr. Harbour (middle) was an American civil rights activist who participated in the Freedom Rides and Mr. Conroy is the co-chair of the Freedom Riders Park Development Committee.

On a February day in 2019, students visited the Alabama Capital City - Montgomery. Part of the day included a trip to the State Capitol and other sites of interest in the area.

Students read from the "Murder of Willie Brewster Historical Marker" outside the Calhoun County Courthouse in Anniston, Alabama.

On Thursday, September 9, 2021 a Remembrance Panel was featured providing panelists the opportunity to share their experience on 9/11/2001 and to reflect on how that day shaped their individual lives. Panelists included Dr. William Meehan, COL (ret.) David McPherson, Angie McPherson, Miranda Killingsworth, Robert Hayes, LTC Travis Easterling, and Ben Cunningham. Mrs. Pearl Williams, Gold Star Mother of Army Major Dwayne Williams, was unable to attend. The event was moderated by Dr. Lori Owens, professor of political science and chair of the JSU American Democracy Project.