At the 69ÀÏʪ»ú¸£Àû, a bold, new era in constitutional law is unfolding, redefining how students approach the ever-evolving legal landscape. With the launch of the Center for Constitutional Law, the College of Liberal Arts is positioning itself at the cutting-edge of legal education and civic engagement.
More than just an academic space, the Center is a collaboration driven by Rick Trachok ’74 (plant science) and the College of Liberal Arts. It aims to create a dynamic platform for students, scholars and the community focusing on the U.S. Constitution, its founding and court interpretation. Here, the Constitution’s impact on modern society will be examined through an interdisciplinary lens, drawing from fields like criminal justice, economics, philosophy and political science. This approach promises to deepen understanding and inspire fresh perspectives on how constitutional principles apply to today’s challenges.
Trachok describes the Center’s mission as twofold: “First, we want a focal point within the University on the Constitution, how it came to fruition, the compromises required for adoption, the governing structure it enabled, why it has been able to endure and challenges going forward. Equally important will be the Center’s community outreach. The Center will sponsor summer workshops for Nevada’s high school government and civics teachers at the Tahoe campus. This initiative will bring Constitutional Law experts from around the country to work with Nevada teachers on developing their curricula to ensure Nevada students have a full understanding of how our government was designed to work.”
Empowering future generations through civic engagement
Research will also be a cornerstone of the Center. Faculty and students will have access to resources and collaboration opportunities to fuel high-quality research on pressing constitutional issues in the U.S. and other constitutional democracies. This space will serve as a hub for groundbreaking research and foster discussions that will influence legal thought and public policy.
As Nevada grows, the Center for Constitutional Law will play a central role in shaping the state’s legal and civic future. The Center will collaborate with the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, under the leadership of Dean Leah Chan Grinvald. In commenting on the Center, Grinvald stated, “I’m excited for the impact on our state that the Center will inevitably have. Civic education — for high school and college students, along with their teachers — is vital to educating our future leaders of Nevada.” With its focus on innovative courses, civic education and vital research, this Center and the College of Liberal Arts ensure that the values of the U.S. Constitution will continue to drive academic thought and guide democratic practice for generations to come.
*Photo courtesy of the College of Liberal Arts