Montgomery College Launches New Institute
to Encourage Civic Participation
Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan
to Give Keynote Address

 Thursday, September 23 – 11 a.m.

Maryland College-Rockville
Theatre Arts Arena
51 Mannakee Street
Rockville, Maryland 

            Montgomery College will celebrate the launch of The Paul Peck Institute for American Culture and Civic Engagement on Thursday, September 23, at 11 a.m., in the Theatre Arts Arena, located on the Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville.  Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan will give the keynote address at the event. 

The Paul Peck Institute for American Culture and Civic Engagement was created to celebrate and increase knowledge of American culture, history, principles, and political traditions; and to inspire informed civic participation about critical issues affecting the local, national, and global communities.  The Institute serves the College’s students, faculty, and staff as well as the greater community.

While Institute-sponsored events encourage the discussion of political and cultural issues, the Institute never endorses a candidate or subscribes to a partisan platform.  Rather, it supports the free and democratic exchange of diverse ideas.  As many as 170 nations are represented in Montgomery College’s student body.

Recently, the Paul Peck Institute for American Culture and Civic Engagement at Montgomery College received a By the People grant, from MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, to support the Jefferson Café initiative.  The Jefferson Cafés bring together small groups of people for discussions of American values and issues and the role of the United States in the global community.

Paul Peck is one of Montgomery College’s most generous benefactors.  His contributions have also helped to create the Paul Peck Humanities Institute and to support other arts and humanities programs at Montgomery College.

In addition to the kick-off event, the Institute will sponsor a voter registration drive on campus.

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