Farmingdale State College (FSC) was proud to recently host its first annual Day of Belonging and Constitution Week celebration, co-hosted by the office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Nexus Center Office of Community & Civic Engagement (OCCE). The multi-day series of programs and events was held in honor of Constitution Day, an annual federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution, the supreme law of the United States and the foundation of its government, and encourage Americans to reflect on the rights and duties of citizenship. 

Open to all members of the campus community, the week included multiple Ramp Up the Vote! (a nonpartisan voter outreach initiative spearheaded by OCCE) efforts and civic education opportunities, a virtual tour of Signers' Hall with the National Constitution Center, and a United States Constitution lecture with Michael Motta, PhD, JD, associate professor of political science. The week culminated with a Day of Belonging celebration in the Campus Center Ballroom, which included a guest speaker, student group activities, and a campus community tabling fair. FSC Ramp Up the Vote! student ambassadors will continue raising voter registration awareness through the October 26, 2024 deadline. 

“Today is Constitution Day, and we are thrilled to celebrate the signing of the constitution in 1787, and also instill its meaning and why it coincides with the Day of Belonging,” said Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede, PhD, director of the Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE) and professor of global affairs and politics. “We all come from diverse backgrounds and we’re all here in the United States of America and recognize its significance.” 

“We have many activities planned for today, so that everyone feels as though they are part of this community, called Farmingdale State College,” said Kevin Jordan, EdD, vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence and chief diversity officer. “Community is more than just belonging to something. Community means doing something together that makes belonging matter. Thus, we’re doing something together to make belonging matter.”

The event’s guest speaker, Town of Babylon Chief Diversity Officer Madeline Quintyne-McConney, and daughter of Delores Y. Quintyne Hall’s namesake, spoke about the importance of voting and the impact of belonging. 

“I applaud Farmingdale State College for understanding, truly understanding, the psychological importance of belonging and for its commitment to the values and initiatives that impact students’ achievement into the future,” said Quintyne-McConney.

During his lecture, Political Powering or Authentic Puzzling? A Policy Learning and Diffusion Analysis of the US Constitution's Drafting and Ratification, Motta explored the creation of the world’s longest surviving written charter of government, the policy making of the document’s founders, and its continued power on American politics. 

“Be curious and try not to be cynical. Because, it’s easy to be cynical,” said Motta of what he hopes attendees took away from the discussion. “It takes greater effort not to be cynical, and to talk to others about the issues. And it’s more needed than ever. Be curious, ask questions, and take that brave step to become educated.”

Student Perspectives:

“I think that [this celebration] is important because we’re all of age to vote,” said Shaina Horn, ’27, a nursing student. “It’s important to know our rights when voting--especially now since we’re in an election year. Some people don’t follow the news or things that are going on with the election, so knowing what to look out for gives them the opportunity to get clarification on things they maybe weren’t sure about.” 

“I like having opportunities for all the students to attend special events like this,” said Jasmin Chaudhry, ’28, a liberal arts major going into business management, who shared she felt welcomed by the discussions and refreshments at the celebration. 

“This event was very informative, which was nice,” said Andrea Caceres, ’28, a liberal arts major. “I think [civic education] is really important.” 

For more information please visit the Ramp Up the Vote! webpage or Nexus Center Office of Community & Civic Engagement webpage. 

View more photos from Constitution Week 2024 on our Flickr Gallery.

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