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Umbanhowar addresses Constitutional issues during nation's first Constitution Day

By David Gonnerman '90
September 22, 2005

Charles Umbanhowar Sr., professor emeritus of political science at St. Olaf College, presented "Keeping a Constitution in Wartime" on Sept. 22. The talk was part of the college's observance of the newly designated Constitution Day on Sept. 17, which commemorates the day in 1787 that the U.S. Constitution was finished and officially signed in Philadelphia (when the date falls on a weekend, as it does this year, the college may commemorate the event the following week).

Umbanhowar, who taught courses ranging from "Politics and Nature" to "Constitutional Law" during his 25 years at St. Olaf, says that while the writing of the U.S. Constitution is notable, he sees the fact that the document has remained vital for more than 200 years as even more remarkable. "And the most challenging time for keeping that vitality is during wartime," he explains. His lecture also touched on issues surrounding judicial review and interpretation.

Constitution Day was legislated into being as part of the 2005 Omnibus Appropriations Bill that includes a provision requiring all educational institutions that receive federal funds to hold an annual "educational program" about the U.S. Constitution.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.