Tennessee Tech hosting its 22nd annual Nolan Fowler Constitution Day Tuesday night to honor the legacy of a former history professor who specialized in constitutional law.
History Department Chair Kent Dollar said the event originated from a $150,000 endowment intended to educate the community about the founding document. Dollar said the university uses the interest from that fund to host nationally recognized scholars for public lectures every September.
“That was the wish of Nolan Fowler, is that he was always kind of appalled at what little knowledge college-age students and even other members of the community how little they knew about the Constitution,” Dollar said. “And his goal was, and his intention was, is for this event every year is going to help to educate people in the community and faculty and students about various aspects of the Constitution.”
Dollar said the 2005 federal law requiring institutions that receive federal funding to hold educational programs on the Constitution coincided with the establishment of the endowment. The event typically draws between 200 and 300 attendees to the campus.
“We’re very proud of the Constitution,” Dollar said. “And so we celebrate it.”
Dollar said Tech chose this year’s guest speaker, Dr. Lindsay Cormack, because of her research regarding the constitutional education of young people.
“And obviously, she’s going to be talking about how it applies to today and how important it is to be mindful of the Constitution and hold our leaders accountable to the Constitution,” Dollar said. “So that’s what I’m thinking she’s going to talk about just from the title, but I actually she has not provided me her presentation.”
Dollar said the annual lecture serves as a tool for citizens to better understand the different interpretations of the law used by elected officials and the Supreme Court. He said the goal is to ensure those in leadership positions remain in compliance with the document.
“It’s very important today, especially in a politically divided America.” Dollar said. “It’s important to make sure that everybody who is in a position of leadership and decision-making in this country as it relates to the Constitution is being held to that level, that everything they do should be in compliance with the Constitution.”
Dollar said Fowler taught at the university from 1962 to 1979 and was an Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame athlete. Fowler originally wanted to fund a faculty chair position, but he worked with advancement officials to create the lecture series instead when the gift amount proved insufficient for a full chair.
