May 2024

Greetings,

April was a busy month as we continued The Africa Series and welcomed Rwandan human rights activist Esther Mujawayo. Francisco Huichaqueo showed his film KÜNÜ: A Space for Dialogue and led a lecture and discussion as part of the Aməricas Dialogue Series.

As part of our civic engagement activities, we hosted the National Civics Bee with the St. Mary's Chamber of Commerce this month. We also held a voter registration drive and participated in a primary election candidate forum with several community partners at the Lexington Park Library (scroll down to see photos of these events).

For more information regarding the Center for the Study of Democracy, please visit our website, send us an email and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Warm regards,

Antonio Ugues Jr., PhD

Director, Center for the Study of Democracy

It Pays to Bee Knowledgeable in Civics

On April 13, 2024, we welcomed fourteen 6th, 7th and 8th graders to campus to flex their civics knowledge. The Center co-sponsored the event in conjunction with The St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce who partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host the first-of- its- kind civics competition. There were cash prizes awarded to the winners and every student went home with a new tablet.

Finalists will be invited to Washington, DC to compete in the inaugural National Civics Bee national championship in Fall 2024.

Congratulations to all of the participants!

Congratulations to our graduating interns!

Sofia Giunta Santiago is graduating with degrees in Psychology and Spanish.

Sofia has worked at the Center for all three years she has attended SMCM. Thank you for your help with CSD events!

Seth Funk is graduating with degrees in Political Science and Public Policy.

Seth has worked at the Center for two years. Thank you for your contributions over the years!

Maryland 250 Commission

In 2023, Governor Wes Moore authorized the Maryland 250 Commission to commemorate Maryland’s many contributions to America’s 250 years. Dr. Ugues was appointed by Governor Moore to the Commission, where he serves as the chair of the Civics Working Group.

In observance of America’s 250th anniversary, MD 250 is looking back at our state’s contributions to American history through the eyes and experiences of fellow Marylanders.

For more information, visit their website and subscribe to their newsletter.

Farewell for now

The time has come. Spring semester has flown by in the blink of an eye and now we must bid adieu to the 2023-2024 school year. It is both bittersweet and exciting, and means that summer is right around the corner!

As some students graduate and many head home for summer break, our monthly newsletter will take a break as well. We will not be sending a newsletter out in June or July, but look for it in your inbox again in August. There will be many exciting events to share with you that are coming up in the Fall.

We wish everyone a wonderful, relaxing and fun break and look forward to seeing you in August!