Bloomfield grad Brandi Blakley chosen as IUPUI Commencement speaker

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Indianapolis -- Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) senior Brandi Blakley has been selected as the 2015 Graduation Commencement Speaker. Blakley is a Bloomfield High School graduate with the Class of 2011, and the daughter of Peggi Blakley.

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Blakley was recently selected as one of the Top 100 students at IUPUI out of nearly 10,000 students. This honor is received based upon evaluations of GPA, philanthropy, school service, and overall dedication to the Culture of Care IUPUI strives to achieve.

Blakley is also recognized as an American Psychological Association (APA) member based on her dedication to excellence in her studies.

Blakley has been a motivational speaker for the past four years, for good reason -- she has an inspiring story to tell. During her talks throughout the state of Indiana, she tells her story of child abuse and shares her dedication to Riley Children's Hospital.

To understand more about Blakley's story, watch a video online that aired in a news broadcast by News Channel 13 in Indianapolis, Unlocking the Past.

Blakley has spent her entire college career dedicated to her school and the community. She started her college career by being accepted into the Women in Science House (WISH). She has participated in Jagathon, IUPUI's Dance Marathon for Riley Hospital, for the past four years and she was a director this past year.

She has also been a teaching assistant, mentor, and research assistant in the Psychology Department at IUPUI all four years.

She participated in Fall Alternative Break trips, Cesar Chavez Day of Service, MLK Day of Service, and is active in many other organizations that are dedicated towards philanthropy and supporting the community.

She is a JagNation Ambassador, Vice-President of the Psychology Club, and she is a dedicated volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul.

Her mother Peggy says her daughter has spent her college career focusing on giving back to the community that has caused her to grow as an individual.

In part due to her experience as a motivational speaker, Blakley was nominated to speak at her commencement at IUPUI. She was then selected to present the commencement speech to more than six graduating schools, including the School of Science, in which she will be graduating from this Sunday, May 10.

Blakley is graduating with a dual Bachelor's of Science in Clinical Psychology and the Psychology of Addictions. She will also be receiving minors in Health Education and Social Work: Family Life. She received early acceptance to the University of Indianapolis Master's program in Clinical Psychology. She will be following the Child and Adolescent track. After completing the Master's program, Blakley plans on obtaining her PsyD, Psychology Docorate, at the University of Indianapolis as well, and then plans on using her doctorate to work with families and children as a Family Psychologist. Blakley would like to work with families and children in traumatic experiences such as what she endured as a child, providing children direction, support, and hope for a better tomorrow.

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