Dr. Richard Gruetzemacher Constitution Day Lecture Fund
At the end of our lives we are remembered for our acts, the lives we touch, and the causes we advance. With this in mind, we invite you to consider commemorating the memory of an exceptional educator and American citizen by contributing to the Dr. Richard Gruetzemacher Constitution Day Lecture Fund.
In 2004, the U.S. Congress passed bipartisan legislation authorizing September 17th, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia, as Constitution Day. In 2005, the U.S. Department of Education authorized public educational institutions and government offices to provide educational programs to promote a better understanding of the Constitution.
Founded in 2011, The Center for Reflective Citizenship’s (CRC) objective is the promotion of education about the principles of a free society through the provision of civic and history institutes and programs to prepare a new generation of thoughtful citizens for the practice of democracy. The CRC is part of UTC’s College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies.
Since its founding, CRC annual Constitution Day lectures, featuring nationally and internationally known scholars and teachers, have become one of the most popular campus outreach initiatives; each year, 200-300 community members, students, and educators attend this event.
Dr. Richard Gruetzemacher was a beloved member of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga community for 26 years. He served as Director of Planning, Evaluation, and Institutional Research from 1988-2014. Dr. Gruetzemacher had a particular passion for U.S. civic and history education in general and for effective history and civics instruction in the schools. In 1967, he began his career by teaching American History at Fernwood Junior High School in Biloxi, Mississippi. Dr. Gruetzemacher modeled through his faith in God, his character, his devotion to young people, and his interest in history and public affairs, what it means to be a good American citizen.
Our objective is to make the Dr. Richard Gruetzemacher Constitution Day Lecture Fund a lasting tribute to Dr. Gruetzemacher’s memory by funding an endowment that will fund the annual Constitution Day lecture that will be renamed in his honor. To date, we have secured well over 80% of donations towards our goal of $25,000. We urge you to think seriously about making a tax deductible contribution in support of the Dr. Richard Gruetzemacher Constitution Day Lecture Fund. Gifts can be made either by mail or online here. We thank you in advance for your generous support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Valerie Copeland Rutledge
Dean, College of Health, Education and Professional Studies