DURHAM, N.H.— The University of New Hampshire will host a naturalization ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018, at 9:50 a.m. in the Granite State Room of the Memorial Union Building, recognizing Constitution Day (Sept. 17) and celebrating 70 new U.S. citizens. The special session of the U.S. District Court is open to the public.

“It is a great honor for the university to host the federal court and witness this ceremony that brings to life the rich diversity of our nation,” said UNH President James W. Dean, Jr.  “We look forward to welcoming and celebrating our newest citizens and their family and friends.”

Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day, honors the day in 1787 that 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. Constitution.

“It is moving to look out at the faces of these new Americans, many in tears, having fled war-torn countries in search of peace and opportunity,” said U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty, who will preside over the ceremony. “I am committed to taking naturalization ceremonies out of the courthouse and into larger public venues, particularly schools, because I believe that more people should witness this patriotic and powerful ceremony.”

During the ceremony, Reginald Wilburn, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts at UNH, will sing America the Beautiful and the UNH Chamber Singers will perform the National Anthem.