George Washington made a special appearance Monday on campus in the form of an impersonator and talked about the process of signing the U.S. Constitution in an interview with political science Professor William Allen.
The event, held in the MSU College of Law Board Room, was part of a series of events held to commemorate Constitution Day, which was Saturday.
"We are trying to make it alive and real to people," said Allen. "It is an opportunity to boil it down in a dramatic form that makes it more accessible."
Constitution Day, a nationwide effort to honor the anniversary of the document's signing, was the result of a law passed last December. It was introduced by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va.
The law requires all federally funded schools and colleges to commemorate the anniversary of the Sept. 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution by creatively developing educational programs to be held at their institutions.
Byrd's spokeswoman, Jennifer Reed, said polls show that school-age children have little appreciation for and knowledge of their history.
"(Byrd) has tried to change that," she said. "He wants them to be able to understand how the Constitution impacts their lives in their daily society."
Allen said he supports educating students on history, but not when it is required by law.
"I wish we would have found some different way than using the court and federal government," Allen said.
MSU's Constitution Day events also include a lecture given Tuesday by nationally known Constitution expert, MSU College of Law Professor Michael Lawrence in Room 471 of the College of Law.
"It will be educational, but it will also be fun," said June Youatt, assistant provost for undergraduate education and dean of undergraduate studies.
Lawrence said the importance of the Constitution is especially prevalent today, in light of recent changes in the justices of the Supreme Court.
However, Lawrence said he doesn't like how this celebration is forced upon institutions.
"It is in a way telling citizens how to think," he said. "That is in a fundamental way to counter individual freedom. I believe in the topic, even though I am not particularly happy with mandate."
But Youatt said by honoring the Constitution, it will allow students to gain a basic understanding of U.S. government.
"It is just a deliberate attempt to try to reconnect students and the community with the foundations of the freedom in our democracy," Youatt said. "We will stimulate curiosity through the program."
