NE North Dakota News

The University of North Dakota (UND) will observe Constitution Day on Wednesday, Sept. 17, with a series of campus events marking the 238th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

A highlight of the day will be a naturalization ceremony held at the Memorial Union, where 50 individuals from 28 countries are expected to take the Oath of Allegiance and become new United States citizens. The ceremony will be presided over by U.S. Magistrate Judge Alice R. Senechal, from the U.S. District Court for North Dakota.

President Andy Armacost, North Dakota First Lady Kjersti Armstrong, and North Dakota Elections Director Erika White are scheduled to speak at the event. Musical performances will be provided by the UND Goliards under Casey Behm’s direction, and UND’s Army ROTC Color Guard will present the colors.

As part of Constitution Day activities, students and faculty in UND’s Department of Communication will debut a video showcase titled “From Many Places, One Community” at 9 a.m. at the Memorial Union Social Stair. The video features stories from fifteen new Americans in North Dakota representing fourteen different countries and aims to recognize their contributions to communities across the state.

North Dakota First Lady Kjersti Armstrong is expected to attend; she previously visited campus with Gov. Kelly Armstrong while recording her segment for this project earlier in the year. The showcase can also be viewed online via Zoom.

Additionally, a photo exhibition related to this project is on display at the Memorial Union Gallery through Sept. 19, featuring portraits and quotes from new Americans living in North Dakota.

At noon, Benjamin Kassow, associate professor of Political Science & Public Administration, will moderate a panel discussion alongside Eric Burin, professor of History, and Erick Resek, visiting clinical assistant professor of Law. The discussion will address topics such as birthright citizenship, the Electoral College process, and constitutional amendments.

Chester Fritz Library staff invite members of the community to join them for an afternoon celebration beginning at 2 p.m., taking place in their second-floor study lounge.

"Expected to appear at the Sept. 17 event is North Dakota First Lady Kjersti Armstrong, who is originally from Oslo, Norway. Earlier this year, both Armstrong and her husband, Gov. Kelly Armstrong were on campus as the first lady recorded her piece for the showcase."

"U.S. Magistrate Judge Alice R. Senechal, of the U.S. District Court for North Dakota, will preside over a special ceremony on campus where 50 citizenship candidates originating from 28 unique countries will take the Oath of Allegiance to become new United States citizens."

"Expected to speak are President Andy Armacost, North Dakota First Lady Kjersti Armstrong and North Dakota Elections Director Erika White."

"The trio will explore various aspects related to the U.S Constitution such as birthright citizenship, Electoral College and amendment process among other topics."

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