By Sophie Lange, Managing Editor
The Eisenhower Institute (EI) is hosting its 4th annual Democracy Week at Gettysburg College, taking place from Sept. 15 to 19. With this year’s theme, “Building Our CommUNITY,” the five events scheduled throughout the week aim to encourage local civic engagement and participation. The schedule for the week is as follows:
- Monday, Sept. 15, 4-6 PM: “Democracy in Action” will be held in Plank Gym, providing an opportunity for attendees to engage with local community organizations that promote democratic participation. The forum is co-sponsored with the Offices of Diversity and Inclusion and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and nearly two dozen organizations are expected to attend.
- Tuesday, Sept. 16, 7 PM: A mayoral candidate forum will be held in Mara Auditorium, moderated by Public Policy Chair Dr. Anne Douds. The forum will feature two mayoral candidates, current Mayor Rita Frealing and candidate Chad-Alan Carr, as well as two candidates for the Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) Board special election: Mark Hopkins and Ryan Kerney.
- Wednesday, Sept. 17, 7 PM: Honorable Judge Christina M. Simpson of the Court of Common Pleas in Adams County will deliver the Constitution Day Lecture in Mara Auditorium. This year’s is titled, “The Constitution in Everyday Life: How Courts Shape Families, Communities and Justice.”
- Thursday, Sept. 18, 7 PM: A second candidate forum will take place in Mara Auditorium for the four open seats on the GASD Board, moderated by Journalist Alex Hayes. Candidates expected to attend include: Julieta Booz, Dale Brennan, Donna Harrison, Michelle Smyers, Kathleen Pratt, Justine Sieg, David Sites, and Charles Weise.
- Friday, Sept. 19, 4 PM: A film screening will be held in Mara Auditorium. The film, Join or Die: A Film About Why You Should Join A Club, examines civic engagement in the United States, its decline, and what Americans can do to promote it.
Democracy Week is held in tribute to President Eisenhower’s signing of Proclamation 3151, which designated a week in September as Constitution Week. The purpose of this designation was to promote contemplation and commemoration of the history and formation of the United States Constitution. On Sept. 17, the nation recognizes both Constitution Day and Citizenship Day in observance of the signing of the Constitution in 1787.
