FOX News Political Commentator to Speak as WSU Commemorates Constitution Day
OGDEN, Utah — Are liberals silencing free speech in America? That’s the question FOX News political commentator Kirsten Powers will discuss at Weber State University’s Convocations on Constitution Day.
The public is invited to the free event titled “Silencing Dissent: the End of Free Speech and Debate?” on Sept. 17 at noon in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater.
“We think inviting Kirsten Powers to deliver the WSU Constitution Day address will make an important contribution to our conversation about freedom of speech at Weber State,” said Carol McNamara, director of the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service, which is co-hosting the event.
Powers began her career in politics as a staff assistant and later the deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for public affairs in the Clinton administration from 1993 to 1998. She later became a vice president for America Online and Time Warner.
Powers joined FOX News in 2004. A prominent liberal commentator, she is often used for an opposing viewpoint on the network. She is a contributor on multiple daytime and primetime programs.
In May, Powers published the book “The Silencing: How the Left is Killing Free Speech.”
“In her new book, Ms. Powers addresses important and controversial questions about free speech and the First Amendment on American university campuses in particular and in society at large,” McNamara said. "She argues that one of the goals of a college or university is to develop intellectual rigor that comes from the free clashing of ideas."
Powers has contributed articles to multiple publications, including The New York Post, The Daily Beast, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, where she is currently a weekly columnist. She graduated from the University of Maryland and attended Georgetown University Law School.
Other events throughout the week encourage students to make democratic engagement a lifelong commitment.
“The Constitution is the document that really governs our lives,” said Leah Murray, American Democracy Project (ADP) advisor and political science professor. “For 200 years we failed to commemorate its birth, so now we celebrate with Constitution Week to teach students in fun and informative ways that the Constitution is what makes us citizens.”
Constitution Week Activities
Sept. 14
ADP invites campus community members to meet Wildcat alumni who are running for local political office, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater.
Sept. 16
ADP will present a panel discussion about amending the Constitution. The local League of Women Voters is co-sponsoring the event, 11:30 a.m., in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater.
Sept. 18
Students can test their knowledge of the Constitution in a quiz-show format, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
For a high-resolution photo, please visit the following link:
Marcus Jensen, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-6348 • mediarelations@weber.edu- Contact:
Carol McNamara, Olene S. Walker Institute director
801-626-6206 • carolmcnamara@weber.eduLeah Murray, American Democracy Project advisor and political science professor
801-626-6695 • lmurray@weber.edu