On Friday, Sept. 19, as Del Mar College’s Constitution Day 2025 observance, the Social Sciences Department is hosting a free lecture, “The Constitution and The Presidency,” by Harvard University’s Dr. Thomas E. Patterson, Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press with the Harvard Kennedy School. 

The lecture begins at 11 a.m. in Wolfe Recital Hall located adjacent to Viking Hall on the Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd., 78404 (get online directions and campus map). Inquiries can be directed 
to Dr. Adrian Clark, DMC Professor of Government and Political Science, at 361-698-1639 or aclark14@delmar.edu or the DMC Social Sciences Department at 361-698-1228.

“For over 25 years, Professor Patterson has introduced successive generations of undergraduate college students to American politics through his authorship of ‘We The People,’ which is one of the leading American Government textbooks,” said Dr. Adrian Clark, DMC Professor of Government and Political Science. “Dr. Patterson is also a nationally recognized expert on media, public opinion and democratic governance.”

Dr. Clark added, “His writings and lectures are characterized by a remarkable ability to communicate complex and insightful ideas and concepts with great clarity, elegance and precision.”

As a prolific writer, Dr. Patterson’s influential books include “Informing the News: The Need for Knowledge-Based Reporting,” “How America Lost Its Mind: The Assault on Reason That’s Crippling Our Democracy” and “Is the Republican Party Destroying Itself?”— each tackling the challenges American democracy faces today. Other works, such as “The Vanishing Voter” and “Out of Order,” have shaped political communication scholarship with “Out of Order” earning the American Political Science Association’s 2002 Doris Graber Award for best political communication book of the decade.

“By agreeing to come to Del Mar College, Thomas Patterson is providing students, faculty and community members with a remarkable opportunity to see one of the nation’s leading political scientists in person,” noted Dr. Clark, adding: “And, participants will benefit from his informed perspective on the changing nature of the American presidency in the context of the overall framework of our constitutional system of governance.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear a thought-provoking lecture from one of the most influential voices in American political deliberation as the DMC community reflects on the Constitution, the health of the nation’s democracy and the role of informed citizenship in observance of Constitution Day 2025.

About Constitution Day

Sept. 17 marks a significant day in United States history. On that date in 1787, the country’s forefathers signed the final draft of the U.S. Constitution, which has stood the test of time for 238 years. In 2005, the U.S. Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act requiring all educational institutions receiving federal funding to observe Constitution Day, which is officially Sept. 17 every year. 

This year, Del Mar College will observe Constitution Day on Sept. 19 with the guest lecture by Dr. Thomas Patterson.

About Del Mar College

Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.