Ninety-seven people from 42 countries were sworn in as new citizens on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Miami University in celebration of Constitution Day.

The ceremony started with the singing of the national anthem and God Bless America by the Miami University Men’s Glee Club. 

United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Chief Magistrate Judge Stephanie K. Bowman presided over the ceremony. She welcomed the new citizens and reflected on the importance of the Constitution. 

“Our Constitution would not be possible without those 39 individuals who put their signature to the Constitution all those years ago,” Judge Bowman said. “Of particular relevance to us today is the 14th Amendment, which came later in 1868. The 14th Amendment states in part that all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States and of the state where they reside.

“America prospers for many reasons, one of which is the strength that it derives from our diverse population. As all of us here know, there is great wisdom to be gained from the shared experiences of a diverse community, and it is this link between and among us that enables our communities and our country to grow and develop as one united nation."

The Court hosted the ceremony at the Donald W. Fritz Pavilion in the Armstrong Student Center on Campus in Oxford, Ohio. Naturalization ceremonies often take place in a federal courtroom, but the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio hosts several naturalizations at community locations across southern Ohio to showcase an essential role of the Judiciary and connect with the community it serves.