Constitution Day with Craig Watkins

Criminal District Attorney speaks at OSU Library

September 3, 2009
Story by Marissa Chavez, OSU Library Communications Intern

For Immediate Release

STILLWATER -Craig Watkins, Dallas County’s Criminal District Attorney, will be the guest speaker when the OSU Library celebrates Constitution Day on Thursday, Sept. 17.

Watkins will speak in the Peggy V. Helmerich Browsing Room, Edmon Low Library, at 3 p.m.

As the first black county District Attorney in Texas history, Watkins has gained local and national attention after using DNA testing to free more wrongfully convicted men than anywhere else in the country.

Since being elected in 2006, Watkins has led a “smart-on-crime” approach. This new approach to the criminal justice system, which has received much attention, has set an example to the rest of the country.

Watkins also established the Conviction Integrity Unit in July 2007, which has overseen the post-conviction review of more than 400 DNA cases. This special unit is the first of its kind in the United States.

Watkins has been honored with many awards for his outstanding accomplishments. The Dallas Morning News named Watkins the 2008 Texan of the Year. Watkins was also named the 2009 Constitutional Champion by the Constitution Project.

The OSU Library and Political Science department are sponsoring the event. It is free and open to the public. A reception follows.

Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant system that cuts across disciplines to better prepare students for a new world. Oklahoma’s only university with a statewide presence, OSU improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality teaching, research and outreach. OSU has more than 32,000 students across its five-campus system and nearly 21,000 on its Stillwater campus; with students from all 50 states and about 110 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 200,000 students who have made a lasting impact on Oklahoma and the world. CREATE - INNOVATE - EDUCATE - GO STATE!

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