Activities planned to mark
Constitution Day at NMCC Friday
Richard Engels
PRESQUE ISLE – Sept. 17 does not generally resonate with the general public to the extent of July 4 or Nov. 11, but the significance of the day certainly parallels in importance when it comes to the freedoms many Americans take for granted.
On Sept. 17, 1787, the course of American history was dramatically changed with the signing of the U.S. Constitution by 39 brave men. In recent years, the day, now known as Constitution Day, is set aside as a time to reflect on the birth of our government and ideas that make us Americans.
Community members are invited to join in a local celebration of Constitution Day on the Northern Maine Community College campus, where a presentation by a well-known local attorney, voter registration drive and tasty culinary tribute to our nation’s founding fathers are all planned.
The highlight of the day will feature a speech by Presque Isle attorney Richard C. Engels of the law firm Bemis and Rossignol entitled “Toward a More Perfect Union – The Constitution an Ongoing Experiment in Limited Government.” The presentation will be held in the Edmunds Library at noon.
Engels, who has been practicing law since the late 1960s, earned degrees from both Bowdoin College and Columbia University. The Rochester, N.Y. native was admitted to the New York Bar in 1966, the Maine State Bar in 1968 and to the United States District Court in 1969.
He is very involved with the NMCC campus community, serving as a current member of the NMCC Foundation executive committee and as the board’s immediate past chairman. Engels is also involved in a number of community organizations including the Presque Isle Rotary Club, Maine Community Foundation, Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, and as an incorporator, director, treasurer, secretary and coach for Aroostook Football.
Red, white and blue-themed refreshments will be served in the library for attendees at Engels’ discussion of the Constitution. The patriotic food fest Friday will also include a special lunchtime meal open to the public and served in the Reed Dining Commons at NMCC from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Complete with Senate Bean Soup, made famous at the cafeteria in the U.S. Capitol building, “freedom” fries and apple pie, the Aramark Dining Service staff at NMCC is inviting the community to come to the campus for lunch. Cost for the meal will be $6, payable at the door.
A final Constitution Day activity at NMCC will be a student-led voter registration drive held in the College library from noon-4 p.m. NMCC students Mariah LeMieux-Lupien of Presque Isle and Dusty Graham of Mapleton are organizing the drive.
“We believe it is important for our fellow students to be aware of our Constitution and freedoms that our government offers, and one of the best ways we can exercise those freedoms and ensure they are protected is to get involved in our democracy,” said Graham. “For many of the new students on campus right out of high school, this November could be the first time they vote in a general election. We want to help them take advantage of that opportunity and privilege.”
In 2004, the law establishing Constitution Day was enacted. The act mandates that all publicly funded educational institutions provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on that day or an adjacent weekday.
Members of the public who are not registered to vote are also welcome to do so at NMCC on Constitution Day. For more information on any of the activities, contact the college relations office at 768-2809.
