Beth Receives Honorary PhD & Delivers Keynote Address at UNCG Commencement

On 6 May, Beth received an honorary doctoral degree from UNCG, her alma mater, and addressed the graduating Class of 2022 as the Commencement Speaker!

On 6 May, Beth Leavel (’80 MFA) delivered the keynote address to the 2,838 graduates as they joined the Spartan alumni family at UNCG’s 2022 Commencement ceremony. She was also awarded one of her alma mater’s highest recognitions: an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters.

During her speech, Beth reflected on her time at UNCG, where she earned an MFA in acting and directing before she went on to start her illustrious Broadway career in New York City. She talked about how her time at UNCG changed her life, as she got to know faculty members and fellow students whom she admired in an environment she cherished, one in which she “loved to go to class.”

Her advice for Spartans?

“Be prepared. Be on time. Be kind. And to thine own self be true.”

“I’m very proud of you, Class of 2022,” Beth told the graduating students in the Greensboro Coliseum. “You’re going to be okay – you’re actually going to be fabulous. Go and change this world! We need your gifts, your talents, your hearts – we need your singularity.”

At the end of her speech, Beth called her favorite UNCG professor, Dr. John Joy, so that the Class of 2022 could greet him via video call.

“Teachers, you have no idea how you can change lives,” she concluded, amid cheers from all corners of the arena.

You can watch highlights from the event below. Click here to watch Beth’s full speech!

Source: UNCG Commencement