More than 300 students, faculty, staff and community members gathered at the 夜色视频 on Oct. 22 for a discussion on birthright citizenship, featuring two of the nation's leading constitutional scholars: Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University, Akhil Reed Amar and Distinguished Professor of Law at UC Davis, Vikram David Amar. Hosted by the University's Center for Constitutional Law in the College of Liberal Arts as part of its Constitutional Scholars Speaker Series, the event reflected the growing community interest in constitutional education and thoughtful civic dialogue.
The professors examined the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of birthright citizenship, exploring its text, historical origins and interpretation by the U.S. Supreme Court. Their discussion extended beyond citizenship to consider how the Supreme Court decides consequential constitutional cases, the role of legal scholarship and the importance of judicial independence.
A highlight of the evening took place before the public lecture, when approximately 60 high school students had an exclusive opportunity to meet and engage directly with the professors. The group included "We the People" students from Reno High School, Reed High School and Incline High School, along with first-generation students participating through UNR's Upward Bound program. Rather than simply listening to a presentation, the students asked questions, exchanged ideas and participated in discussions with two of the nation's most respected constitutional scholars.
The experience also highlighted the Center's investment in Nevada educators. The participating high school teachers are graduates of the Center's signature Summer Civics Teacher Program, held at the University's Lake Tahoe campus, and teach dual-enrollment courses through the College of Liberal Arts. Some of their students are also enrolled in these courses, earning university credit while still in high school. The pre-event gathering offered a particularly meaningful opportunity for first-generation students to experience the intellectual exchange and academic engagement that define a university environment.
The Summer Civics Teacher Program brings Nevada middle and high school educators together with nationally recognized constitutional scholars for immersive residential learning. The participation of its graduates and their students demonstrated how the Center's work extends beyond the university, strengthening classroom instruction and creating new educational opportunities for young Nevadans.
"The core of the Center is our teacher education program," said Rick Trachok, executive director of the Center for Constitutional Law, during his opening remarks. He emphasized the importance of educating the next generation about how the nation's government was designed to function under the Constitution.
That commitment to education resonated throughout the evening. Professor Akhil Amar encouraged the audience to deepen its understanding of the nation's founding documents, emphasizing that constitutional literacy is essential to a functioning democracy.
"The biggest problem of all, my fellow Americans, is most of you don't know nearly enough about the Constitution," he told attendees, challenging them to become more informed and engaged citizens.
For the Center for Constitutional Law, the enthusiastic turnout and engagement from students, educators and the broader community demonstrated the growing reach of its Constitutional Scholars Speaker Series. Through nationally recognized speakers, its Summer Civics Teacher Program and partnerships across the University and Nevada schools, the Center continues to establish itself as an important resource for constitutional education and civic dialogue.
The Constitutional Scholars Speaker Series continues on Dec. 8, 2026, at 6 p.m., when the Center welcomes former U.S. Circuit Judge J. Michael Luttig for a lecture on the separation of powers in today's political landscape. The event will take place in Room 100 of the John Tulloch Business Building at the 夜色视频, and is open to the public.
Please for the Luttig lecture,.
