Summarize this content to 100 words: Legal commentator Nancy Grace spoke to students at her alma matter Mercer University Wednesday morning.
MACON, Ga. — Legal commentator and Macon native Nancy Grace spoke to students and faculty at her alma mater Mercer University on Wednesday, discussing growing up in rural Macon-Bibb County, her experience at the school and more.
The speech happened at Mercer’s Founders’ Day, which recognizes the birthday of Mercer’s namesake.
Ranging from a story about an ex-boyfriend’s words of discouragement — who she says she only dated because he was an Elvis impersonator — to life growing up in Macon, here are five memorable clips from Grace’s speech at Mercer.
Growing up on a ‘red dirt road’ in rural Macon
Grace’s ties to Macon go beyond her time at Mercer University. She also grew up in Macon, attending Windsor Academy.
According to Grace, her mother worked at a can factory and her father worked on the railroad.
During the speech, Grace discussed her experience growing up in Macon, experiencing “hot and idyllic days” and other moments from her upbringing.
An Elvis impersonator’s doubt
Grace also highlighted the significance of Mercer appointing their first female president, Penny Elkins.
She suggested that being on stage with her represented progress for women’s rights. She brought up challenges she faced as a woman becoming a lawyer.
Grace shared story about a doubtful comment about her legal ambitions from an ex-boyfriend, who she said she only dated because he was an Elvis impersonator.
The murder of her fiancé — and dropping out of Mercer
Grace says her fiancé, Keith Griffin, was shot and killed by a stranger on a construction site. That experience shook her.
“I felt like I stepped off the world and, I looked back, and I was shocked to see it was still turning,” Grace said.
This lead to her dropping out from Mercer University after struggling to think and eat. But she also says that, when she was ready, Mercer let her pick up where she left off.
“No questions asked,” Grace said.
The death of her fiancé, Grace said, led her to becoming a prosecutor. She dropped her plans of becoming an English professor and set out to become a lawyer.
Grace said that she applied to only one law school, Mercer, with only one recommendation.
“I praise the lord for Mercer,” Grace said. “They let me in.”
What is the Bear?
During the speech, Grace tied Mercer’s mascot — the Bears — to what she described as a key component of her life story: perseverance.
The importance of getting back up
Grace ended her speech by returning to the impact of perseverance.
“You never know the impact you will have — just one person can make a difference,” Grace said.
She focused on the impact Mercer had on her life, her career and her story.
