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Summer 2003

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Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap --let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; --let it be written in Primers, spelling books, and in Almanacs; --let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation; and let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay, of all sexes and tongues, and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars.

From Abraham Lincoln, Speeches and Writings: 1832-1858, edited by Don Fehrenbacher (N.Y.: Library of America, 1989), pp. 32-33 (italics in original).

On July 4, 2003, the “only museum in the world dedicated to honoring and explaining the U.S. Constitution,” opened its doors to the public. Thousands of visitors, from over 30 different countries, flocked to the center with intentions to be the first to experience the U.S. Constitution’s new facade. What once before was only viewed through airtight glass, the famous document comes to life in over 100 interactive exhibits.

The dedication ceremony included many dignitaries including Senators Arlen Spector and Rick Santorum, and Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell. Included in the ceremonies, Mayor John F. Street presented the Philadelphia Liberty Medal to Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

For Philadelphians, the National Constitution Center brought more tourist attraction, city pride, and family day-trips. For the nation, the center brought the historical written document to a renewed sense of understanding and appreciation in its citizens. For communications professor and program director for Public Relations Bill Cowen, and School of Arts and Sciences 1995 graduate, Liz Barszczewski, the National Constitution Center’s opening on Independence Day this year meant even more.

Both Cowen and Barszczewski worked closely with media relations for the new Constitution Center. It became an international story when media from Europe and Asia broadcasted news of the center’s groundbreaking. Nationally, Cowen and Barszczewski worked with some of the most well-known U.S. newspapers: Washington Post, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Miami Harold and Baltimore Sun. Broadcasts by “CNN,” “C-SPAN,” and Good Morning America all occurred the opening day. Peter Jennings, from “World News Tonight,” also broadcasted from the center, as well as “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos.

As a Philadelphian, professor, and president and founder of the communications firm, Metrospective Communications, Bill Cowen has a special attachment to the National Constitution Center (NCC). Chosen by the NCC, Cowen worked as the senior Public Relations consultant for the five weeks leading up to the opening event.

Cowen’s impressive strategic communications background extends back before his appointment at Villanova and the founding of his company. He was a corporate communications manager for Oki Data Americas, Inc. and vice president with Earle Palmer Brown Public Relations, where he was the leader of the technology team and responsible for accounts like DuPont and Comcast. In addition, Cowen is an active member of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association and Public Relations Society of America.

What influenced Cowen’s placement at the Constitution Center, however, was his work during the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. Cowen worked for the city as a principal on the “Marketing Philadelphia to the Media” team.

Cowen received a master’s degree, summa cum laude, in Public Relations and a bachelor’s degree with top honors in communications, with specialties in public relations and speech/theater, from Rowan University College of Communication.

The communications department recently named Cowen director of the Public Relations program in the communications department. His extensive work in the public relations field enables Cowen to enhance his students’ classroom experience.

“I had launched my agency in conjunction with my appointment to faculty at Villanova. Because I believe that to be able to teach public relations to people, you need a good balance between the classroom and the professional,” said Cowen about conjoining work experience and teaching.

Cowen did want to emphasize that his work in the field does not dominate class discussion. “I try to strike a balance. To use applicable, real world examples to back up the information that you are trying to learn.”

Several factors contributed to Cowen’s decision to teach at Villanova. He has tremendous faith in the public relations program at the University as well as its chair of communications, Terry Nance. “Villanova is a really unique place and a very comfortable environment with a lot of potential for the program. Another one of the main reasons I decided to take a professorship was Dr. Terry Nance. I have so much respect for her as department chair, for her part in the program, and her support for public relations,” stated Cowen.

Since Cowen was hired specifically for the opening events, he was forced to bring himself up to date on a 15-year project in just three days. Liz Barszczewski, public relations manager for the Constitution Center commented on Cowen’s ability to come up to speed in such a short amount of time. “Bill came in on a Friday afternoon at 3 and I threw the press kit, everything of collateral material, at him and said, ‘Great. I’ll see you on Monday at 9.’”

Enter Liz Barszczewski. The Constitution Center was not the first time that Barszczewski and Bill Cowen were colleagues for an event. In 1999, they worked together at the Pepperpot Awards, a prestigious award ceremony from the Public Relations Society of America that Cowen chaired.

Working as the permanent Public Relations manager for the National Constitution Center is just one task among many in the Philadelphia area for Barszczewski. She worked for American Society of Testing Materials as an editor and Independence Seaport Museum as a publications and public relations coordinator. Prior to her appointment with the National Constitution Center, she was an account executive at Sharla Feldscher Public Relations, Inc. in Philadelphia as well as her present appointment with the Constitution Center.

Her projects with the Mann Center for Performing Arts, the Merriam Theater and Sesame Place while she was at Sharla Feldscher, helped prepare her for her work with the Constitution Center. “I had a really great background in entertainment and attractions, public relations, which I think helped me a lot,” said Barszczewski.

Barszczewski holds a bachelor’s degree in English and history. She remembers her Villanova experience as an excellent one educationally. “Coming from an arts background with English and history, prepared me in so many ways.”

Throughout the four years at Villanova, Barszczewski worked fervently on The Villanovan, becoming co-editor in chief by her senior year. Her work on the University paper, and her Villanova education gave her what she needed to excel in the Public Relations field. “And I also had the incredible good fortune of working with June Lytel-Murphy and Madeleine Baxter. They were two tremendous women who I learned a lot from. I got an incredibly strong education there and also my experience with The Villanovan was incredible. I couldn’t have worked on anything since I graduated without that,” she said.

Her permanent PR manager role led Barszczewski through a challenging and tremendous experience. She came to the center in November 2001 before the start of any construction. Now, a landmark among some of the greatest odes to America: U.S. Mint, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, this Constitution Center affected the nation, but more directly, Philadelphia. Barszczewski believes that the center impacts the city of Philadelphia economically, civically and culturally. Culturally, Barszczewski said, “it is a beautiful building architecturally that offers a wealth of programs and exhibits that really engage people.”

Economically, the center employs approximately 150 workers, as well as attracts thousands of tourists. Most importantly, however, Barszczewski hopes that the center will put citizens in a more engaged and active mindset toward their country and their duties as citizens. “Hopefully, they will have a renewed sense of civic engagement and interest in the constitution…I think that it will hopefully spur visitors to take a look at how it (the constitution) is relevant to their daily lives and hopefully inspire them to vote or speak out.”

And indeed, the exhibits do inspire. Not only do they inspire the visitor, they demand the citizen to take part in different aspects of our government. Whether reciting the presidential oath-of-office, posting your opinion over an amendment, or e-mailing your elected representatives, no one escapes the exhibits without participating in some aspect of his/her Constitution. The most humbling room, however, precedes the multi-media exhibit room, named The American Experience. This hall, The Signers’ Hall, features 42 life-size bronze figures of the men who either signed the Constitution or dissented. They remain paused in a thought, an action, and perhaps even an argument with their fellow founders. Two massive, antiqued books lie opened to an empty page, while eager visitors wait in line to either sign their name to affirm or dissent the Constitution. Each filled book is placed on the empty shelves bordering the room.

After a long and rewarding opening weekend, both Bill Cowen and Liz Barszczewski radiate a weary, yet elated sense of pride and satisfaction. For them, so much is finished, yet for the millions of visitors to come, an experience is just waiting. Stated Cowen, “It is really rewarding to see people actually in the exhibits, interacting, and enjoying themselves. And as Liz’s colleague, I think one thing that makes me happy is how much time she put into it as the PR manager. And if I feel this great just a few weeks, I can only imagine how incredible and proud she must feel.”