Dr. Ray Smock, director of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies, will deliver the ninth annual Tom E. Moses Memorial Lecture on Sept. 17 and 18. Smock’s lecture is titled “Our Elusive Constitution.”
Dr. Smock will be delving into contemporary and historical American applications of the U. S. Constitution. In an interview with The Picket, he stressed that Americans “are trying to run a 21st century country with 18th century language.” He is quick to add that the Constitution is by no means broken or outdated, but that perhaps the political system which attempts to utilize it is in need of repair.
Since the 2010 midterm elections certain candidates have asserted their positions as constitutional conservatives and have sought to eschew any interpretation of the Constitution, favoring it instead as a static document.
Dr. Smock argues this position to be very problematic: “We are saying we are not as smart as they [the writers of the Constitution] were. We are worshiping them, rather than building on their legacy.”
Dr. Smock served as the historian of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983-95 and became director of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Legislative Studies in 2002. He earned his
doctorate from the University of Maryland at College Park.
Dr. Stephanie A. Slocum-Schaffer, associate professor and chair of the political science department, encourages all students and community members to attend, believing “the tradition of the Constitution Day Lecture at Shepherd is a special and important one. It is an opportunity for every American citizen to stop and think about the timeless issues that our framers struggled with in writing this amazing document.”
Michael Lesko, president of the Shepherd Republican Club, urges students to take in the event: “It is vitally important for students to be able to attend these free events that help them understand the workings of the U.S. government. Being well educated on the workings of government can help provide students with the knowledge to maybe become more active in politics and maybe even change the system.”
This year’s lecture will be held twice: 7 p.m. Sept. 17 and noon Sept. 18. The event is free, but tickets are required due to maximum seating restrictions. Those interested in tickets should contact Jody Brumage at 304-876-5702 or jbrumage@shepherd.edu.
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