Murfreesboro, TN - Middle Tennessee State University welcomed renowned New York Times columnist and PBS contributor David Brooks to campus last week for its annual Constitution Day observance. Held at Tucker Theatre, the event featured a panel discussion titled “We the People: The Place of the U.S. Constitution in Students’ Everyday Spaces,” organized by MTSU’s American Democracy Project.

Brooks joined student panelists in a wide-ranging conversation about civic engagement, institutional trust, and the relevance of constitutional principles in modern life. Addressing the audience of students, faculty, and community members, Brooks described what he sees as a recurring pattern in American history.

“There’s a 60-year cycle in American history that we go through,” Brooks said. “People have low trust. People get disgusted with established power. They want to burn it all down.”

He referred to the current moment as a “moral convulsion,” a period marked by deep societal unease and disillusionment. Yet Brooks also offered a note of optimism, suggesting that such cycles often give rise to renewal and reform.

The Constitution Day event aimed to encourage students to reflect on how foundational democratic values intersect with their daily lives. Through candid dialogue and thoughtful exchange, Brooks and the student panelists explored the challenges and opportunities facing young Americans as they navigate civic life.

MTSU’s observance of Constitution Day continues its tradition of fostering informed discussion and critical thinking about democracy, citizenship, and the enduring relevance of the U.S. Constitution.