College marks Constitution Day with a reading

Continuing the tradition of reading aloud the U.S. Constitution, students of Performing Arts Assistant Professor Craig Mathers gathered in the Semel Theater on September 18 and took turns reading articles of the U.S. Constitution. For the past six years, Mathers’s class has read the document in full for the Emerson community.

“Performing the Constitution is a two-fold situation,” said Mathers. “Rather than simply reading the historical document, students are able to get a touch of performance as well as a history lesson—it’s a creative way to celebrate and acknowledge Constitution Day,” he said.

Students of the Voice and Text class enjoyed presenting this year’s Constitution reading. Jared Rosenberg ’16 felt more cultured and in touch with his country and Megan Roy ’16 felt she was more connected to her fellow performers. All students agreed there is a difference between reading the Constitution and speaking it aloud.

Keeping with Emerson’s commitment to communication and the arts, Performing Arts Chair and Professor Melia Bensussen and Vice President for Academic Affairs Linda Moore partner and collaborate with Mathers to coordinate this annual tradition.

“With Linda announcing her retirement, I would like to thank her on behalf of the Performing Arts Department for all her help and support with Constitution Day,” said Mathers. “Linda was a huge help with the event and she will be sorely missed,” he continued.

A federal law enacted in December 2004 designates September 17 as “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. Under this law, every school that receives federal funding for the fiscal year is required to hold an educational program for students designed around the Constitution.