Media gallery


(l-r) Brent Nelsen, Rod Smolla, Teresa Cosby, Don Aiesi

American Politics and Policy

Obamacare is Constitutional:  But Why?

Constitution Day Observed
September 17, 2012

For Constitution Day 2012, Furman faculty and students looked at the landmark ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court–the underlying reasoning and precedents as well as implications for future legislation and policy. A standing room only crowd of students enjoyed this real-world look at how constitutional interpretation applies to one specific policy that has universal impact in America.

Moderated by Dr. Brent Nelsen, the conversation began with commentary from Furman’s president and two members of Furman’s political science faculty:

Don Aiesi, Ph. D., who teaches Constitutional Law at Furman and is well-respected as a constitutional scholar.

Teresa Cosby, J.D., who teaches Constitutional Law at Furman and is former executive director of the S. C. Centers for Equal Justice and former S.C. assistant attorney general

Rod Smolla, J.D., president of Furman and former dean of Washington and Lee School of Law, who is a renowned constitutional scholar, has written prolifically about constitutional issues, and has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Following the panel’s presentations, members of a Furman student panel asked questions of the panelists.  These students were Lee Bolton, Katie Fowler, and Brendan Ryan.

Many students and faculty continued the conversation as they enjoyed festive hors d’oeuvres following the program.