NEWS RELEASE

Immediate: September 14, 2012 Media Contact:  Chuck Cutolo 516.572.7811 Alicia Steger 516.572.9634 Email: chuck.cutolo@ncc.edu alicia.steger@ncc.edu ncc.edu/newsreleases

New York Council for the Humanities Awards Grant in Support of Nassau Community College's Constitution Day Program

Garden City, NY – The New York Council for the Humanities has awarded a project grant in support of Nassau Community College's Constitution Day program, "The Race to the White House, 2012: Constitutional Ground Rules and Roadblocks to Governing," to be held on September 19, 2012.

All educational institutions that receive federal funds are required to observe Constitution Day.   Constitution Day is normally observed on September 17, but, due to a religious holiday, federal regulations permit that the Day to be commemorated any time during the week.

In its application to the New York Council for the Humanities, Nassau Community College stated that the College's program seeks "to recognize the heightened interest in the presidential campaign that will exist during the period when this year's Constitution Day takes place" and seeks "to utilize that context as an accessible entry point for information about the Constitution and the presidential election process." In urging the Council to support the grant application, NCC 's application also stated that a goal of the program is to provide information about the presidential election process in an organized manner, which "is particularly relevant because so much of the information in the media is now advocacy based, with a premium on sensationalism and hype."

Dr. Kenneth Saunders, NCC's Officer in Charge, expressed his appreciation to the Council for recognizing the College's Constitution Day efforts. "Through this presentation," Dr. Saunders said, "we hope to encourage the participation of students and others in this year's presidential election, including by voting. What the Council's award is basically saying is 'Come to Nassau Community College's Constitution Day program – it's really worth a listen.' And I wholeheartedly agree."

The speakers for NCC's Constitution Day program are Professor James Coll, who teaches as an adjunct in the College's History/Political Science/Geography Department, and Chuck Cutolo, NCC's General Council for Governmental & Media Relations.

"The Race to the White House, 2012: Constitutional Ground Rules & Roadblocks to Governing" will be presented at the College Center Building on September 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Admission is free and the general public is welcome.

About Nassau Community CollegeNassau Community College, part of the State University of New York, is an institution where nearly 24,000 full- and part-time students and almost 15,000 continuing and professional students start and continue their successful journey through higher education.  More than 70 fields of study are offered on a 225-acre campus located in the center of Long Island.  As the largest single-campus two-year college in New York State, Nassau Community College maintains a national reputation for excellence.

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