The U.S. The Department of Education describes Constitution Day as an American federal observance that commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. For over 200 years, the constitution has been the law of our land.
In celebration of the day, New York attorney and Kent State University alumnus Lloyd De Vos presented “Equal Justice - Under Law - For All,” focusing on the U.S. Constitution’s impact on our government. Additionally, De Vos discussed his personal experience arguing a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Overall, the rule of law requires that no one be above the law,” De Vos said. “The law should apply equally to all since justice is for all.”
De Vos was joined by Keaton Grabarczyk, junior political science major, Trevor Walton, senior political science major, Ian Duncan, sophomore paralegal studies major and Makayla Sejat, senior speech pathology and audiology major. The panelists asked De Vos their own questions before the audience asked questions to the panel about the constitution and politics. The panel was moderated by political science professor Christopher Banks.
“I'm a proud graduate of Kent State,” said De Vos. “If we go to the May 4th Visitor Center, we see what happens when constitutional protections are violated. It happened here. It never should again.”
The event was hosted by the Kent State Libraries and the Honors College on Sept. 16, 2022, in the University Libraries’ Harrick Garden Room.