2012 Commencement Address

Brescia University is pleased this year to have Stacey Bess as our 2012 Commencement speaker. Her inspirational life story was recently adapted into a television movie.

Bess will speak to the graduates on the importance of service, mentorship, leadership and overcoming adversity. Bess taught kindergarten through sixth grade for 11 years at The School with No Name. During that time she discovered that by teaching and modeling love, self-worth, personal power and courage, she could reach children with no homes and little hope. These were children who had previously been labeled as “unteachable.”

To inspire and motivate others with a passion for service, Bess penned the memoir, Nobody Don’t Love Nobody, which was adapted into the April 2011 Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Beyond the Blackboard.

Bess has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Utah and has been recognized with awards on the local, state, and national levels, including the National Jefferson Award for Greatest Public Service. Bess speaks around the nation to work on shedding light on her quest as a leading advocate for the educational rights of impoverished children.

Brescia welcomes Bess and looks forward to her inspiring stories and powerful insights as she addresses the graduating class of 2012.

Brescia University’s Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 12, 10:00 a.m. at the RiverPark Center and will be open to the public. Seating is based on first come, first served.

Bess will also speak briefly during the Baccalaureate Evening Prayer Service on Friday, May 11 in Taylor Lecture Hall (Science Bldg). Following, she will sign copies of her books available for sale in the Campus Center lobby.