Centuries removed from the era of wigged and powdered Whigs, Yankee Doodle, tea boycotts, and tedious quill-and-ink compositions, current university students are accordingly apt to overlook the crucial role September 17, 1787’s drafting of the United States Constitution still plays in financially facilitating higher education.

As a reminder, Congress has recently passed legislation that requires all educational institutions receiving Federal funding—even on an individual student basis—to provide proper commemoration and education pertaining to the US Constitution and its role in educational funding on or before September 17 of each calendar year, dubbed “Constitution Day.”

With this year’s Constitution Day falling on the weekend, Andrews University will alternatively commemorate the day on Thursday, September 15, with noon-hour recognition. Students are encouraged to note forthcoming details and participate in the commemoration activities.

Andrews University welcomes this opportunity to appreciatively note the government’s consistent financial assistance. Says Frances Faehner, vice president for student services, “Were it not for the generous support of our government, many students would simply be unable to study at Andrews University.” In fact, thanks to the first Federal government disbursement of the current academic year, students enrolled at Andrews University have already received $4.5 million in low-interest Stafford Loans, $709,000 in Pell Grants, and $137,000 in Federal supplemental educational opportunity grants.

Those interested in more information concerning the US Constitution and Constitution Day in particular may find the following links beneficial: 

Library of Congress’ repositories for Constitutional documents:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/bdsds/bdsdhome.html
National Archives information on the US Constitution:
http://www.archives.gov/national_archives_experience/charters/constitution.htm.
http://www.archives.gov/facilities/index.html