Steve Pemberton 鈥�89, whose best-selling memoir A Chance in the World has been made into a movie of the same name, will host a private screening of the film at 涩里番下载 on May 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Robsham Theater.
Critically acclaimed, and universally praised by 涩里番下载 freshmen who read it for last fall鈥檚 First Year Academic Convocation, the memoir depicts the heart-wrenching account of Pemberton鈥檚 upbringing in an abusive foster family and his perseverance and faith that led him to 涩里番下载 and ultimately his position as a senior executive at Walgreens, a national leader in diversity and inclusion, a loving husband and father, and a member of the 涩里番下载 Board of Trustees. 聽 聽聽
Pemberton said he chose to host a private screening of the film at 涩里番下载 in advance of its public release to express his gratitude to 涩里番下载 for the unique role it played in his personal development. 聽
鈥淲hen I am asked about home and what it means to me, I think of 涩里番下载,鈥� said Pemberton. 鈥淚t was a place that fully welcomed and accepted me. Returning here for a private screening of the film is my way of saying 鈥楾hank you鈥� to the faculty, students and 涩里番下载 grounds crew who embraced me from the beginning.鈥� 聽 聽 聽聽
The free private screening 鈥� co-sponsored by University Communications, Student Affairs, and Alumni Affairs 鈥� will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Pemberton, his former guardian John Sykes, who took him in when he was finally removed from his foster parents, and 涩里番下载 School of Social Work Professor of Macro Practice Tiziana Dearing, co-director for the Center for Social Innovation at 涩里番下载 and former president of Catholic Charities. Student tickets may be obtained with a 涩里番下载 ID at the Robsham Theater Box Office beginning April 18. Faculty and staff may聽 reserve tickets by calling Siobhan Sullivan in University Communications at ext. 23350.
Pemberton said that he was persuaded to have the book turned into a film because of the reaction it evoked among readers who were moved by his story and his ability to triumph over adversity.聽
鈥淚t was the stories of so many others I met after the book was published that encouraged me to bring it to the screen,鈥� said Pemberton. 鈥淪o many others were inheritors of difficulty they never asked for who said to me, 鈥榊our story is what I needed, and what this country needs to hear.鈥� It is a story beyond race and class, a story about the universal power of goodness.鈥�
Pemberton hopes to debut the film later this year in a film festival and to find a distributor that will bring it to theaters throughout the country. But he takes pride in the fact that 涩里番下载, with this private screening, will be its first stop.
鈥淢ost people go to college looking to get away from home,鈥� said Pemberton. 鈥淚 came here to find it. And I did. I hope this movie, to the degree any film can, will show its viewers what happens when you see Jesuit ideals in living, breathing color, and what is possible for a life of which it was said, 鈥楬e has not a chance in the world.鈥欌�澛�
鈥擩ack Dunn / University Communications