OCTC Constitution Day Event

Dr. Bob Glenn presents "The Rights You Give Away"

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (09/10/2024) — On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) recognizes Constitution Day with a presentation titled "The Rights You Give Away" by Dr. Bob Glenn, at 11 a.m. in OCTC Blandford Lecture Hall, located in the Humanities Building on the main campus at 4800 New Hartford Road, Owensboro. The presentation is free and open to the public, and copies of "The U.S. Constitution and Fascinating Facts About It" are available on behalf of the Learning Resource Center on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Bob Glenn is a long-time resident of Owensboro and Daviess County. Dr. Glenn was an award-winning educator at Owensboro Community College from 1990 to 2023, when he retired, and is an adjunct at KWC, a Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church, a certified High School sports official, and a tireless advocate for our community.

Bob serves on several boards, including as a member of St. Benedict's Homeless Shelter, Daviess County Imagination Library, Owensboro Lions Executive Board, and past Chair of the Neblett Center Board.

Glenn has served five successful terms as an Owensboro City Commissioner (from 2012-2018). In 2016, he was elected Mayor Pro Tem by earning the most votes among 10 challengers. And, after an unsuccessful run for a state office, he was reelected in 2020 to the Commission. He is married to Holly, his wife of 35 years, and they have two adult children, Bobby (a Firefighter) and Caitlin (a Nurse). They have two grandchildren (Caitlin) who live and play in Cleveland, Ohio.

On Constitution Day, we recognize the anniversary of the nation's constitution and the efforts and responsibilities of all citizens in sustaining the constitution.

In the summer of 1787, delegates convened in Philadelphia to create "a more perfect union" and construct the country's constitution. They worked to develop a framework that would provide balance and freedom, considering national and state interests and individual human rights. The delegates signed the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787. By June 21, 1788, the Constitution was ratified, having been approved by nine of the 13 states.

In 1940, Congress created "I Am an American Day" to be celebrated on the third Sunday in May. On February 29, 1952, President Harry Truman signed into law "Citizenship Day." It was established to replace "I Am an American Day." On August 2, 1956, Congress requested that the President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as "Constitution Week." Another change was made to the event when a federal law enacted in December 2004 designated September 17 as "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day."

OCTC President Dr. Scott Williams commented, "We hope that the topic of this Constitution Day encourages discussion and deliberation among the students, faculty, and staff and that community members feel free to join us."

For more information about the event, please contact bernie.hale@kctcs.edu.

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