For many students, Constitution Day may seem like an elementary school holiday. But one student organization decided to make sure Ball State students know how important the day is.
On Sept. 17, the Legal Studies Student Association handed out pocket constitutions, candy and pins to passersby at the Scramble Light.
Charlie Cardinal, Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler and State Representative Sue Errington made appearances throughout the day.
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Most students said they weren’t concerned about Constitution Day, while others had no knowledge that it was an actual day that is celebrated.
Ross Meenagh, president of the Legal Studies Student Association, said it is crucial for Americans in general to acknowledge and appreciate the Constitution.
“The Constitution is where we get all of the rights that Americans, myself included, routinely take for granted," Meenagh said.
He said because of these rights, Americans never have to fear being thrown in jail for something they say, and it gives them the right to protest, petition and worship without restriction.
But the Constitution does more than just give Americans rights, he said.
“This document empowers our government to print money, build roads and keep us safe, all of which are things it struggled to do under the Articles of Confederation,” Meenagh said.
Errington has always been fond of the legal studies program at Ball State, Meenagh said, which is why she came to help them celebrate the day. She has also come in the past.
Ball State's Legal Studies program was recently ranked third in the country, according thebestschools.org.
“There are likely people all over Ball State who would really benefit from being a Legal Studies major, but don't even know the program exists, and we hope to change that on [Constitution Day],” Meenagh said.
With Errington and others' help, the group hopes to spread awareness of the Constitution, Ball State's Legal Studies program and enjoy the experience along the way, Meenagh said.
Freshman Brittany Mayfield said while the event did not draw her in, it still stood out to her as something important.
"Of course its worth celebrating," Mayfield said. "It gave us so many rights."
Freshman Bailey Ridgway said she had no clue Constitution Day was something that was actually celebrated.
"I don't believe that it is necessarily something to celebrate, but it is worth appreciating," Ridgway said.
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