Alumna Lecturer Encourages Civic Participation

Mitchell Brown, ’93, a political science professor at Auburn University, presented “U.S. Elections and Our Mutual Obligations,” at Meredith College on September 16, 2024, in observance of Constitution Day. The lecture was part of the Summer Reading Program theme, “Strong Voices: Empowering Student Citizenship.”

Brown, who studied political science at Meredith, spoke on how the U.S. Constitution informs elections and our participation.

Brown encouraged students to think about what it means to be a U.S. citizen and the responsibilities that come with citizenship. “We’re all members of this society. The Constitution sets boundaries and rules for participation and we get to choose how involved we are and how we engage.”

According to Brown, elections are the ultimate expression of American values stated in the Constitution, and participating in them is, therefore, the ultimate act of what it means to be a citizen of the country.

“In local and state elections, every vote matters. Local elections are often decided by one vote,” said Brown. “In federal elections, your vote in North Carolina will really matter too because it is a purple state.”

This event was hosted by the Department of History, International Studies, Political Science, and Religious Studies. Visit meredith.edu/srp-2024 for more information about events and activities Meredith College is sponsoring this semester to promote civic engagement.