Commencement is a special day for every graduate, but this year’s ceremony – held May 6 on Williams Field at Valhalla – was especially significant for Anaiah Rucker (22C), a true hero who received a full scholarship to Berry as a child after saving her sister from an oncoming truck and losing her own leg in the process.
On hand for the occasion were Rucker’s parents, grandparents and sister Camry, who graduated from high school later in May. All were excited to celebrate the culmination of an incredible journey, which began on the dark, cloudy morning of Feb. 4, 2011.
That day started like many others, with the two sisters trekking across the highway to catch the school bus. Her hoodie pulled low to keep out the cold, Rucker was startled to suddenly see bright lights from a truck heading straight toward them. Only 9 at the time, she immediately pushed her little sister out of the way but was struck herself.
She awoke in the hospital after two weeks of fading in and out of consciousness, not yet realizing she had lost her leg. Rehabilitation followed as she adapted to life in a wheelchair and, eventually, learned to walk on her prosthetic limb.
We first shared Rucker’s story in the Winter 2011-12 issue of Berry magazine. At the time, Ty Pennington and his Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew had just worked their usual magic on the family home in Madison, Georgia. The big reveal broadcast on ABC brought another surprise – a full scholarship to Berry – the result of a connection facilitated by Brian Brodrick (97C), who was working pro bono on the project for the Jackson Spalding public relations and marketing firm.
“I’m really thankful for that scholarship,” Rucker said. “When I got to high school, it encouraged me to start focusing. I knew that even though I had been awarded a scholarship, I still had to make it into Berry.”
Rucker arrived on campus in 2019 with dual enrollment credits, which already had piqued her interest in psychology – her future major. She added a minor in applied behavior analysis, fascinated by the prospect of helping individuals thrive in challenging environments.
After completing her degree requirements in December 2022, Rucker is taking some time off before heading to graduate school with the goal of a career on the therapeutic and counseling side of psychology.
“I’m just really thrilled that it’s come together,” said Brodrick, now chair of Berry’s Board of Visitors. “She did her part to earn the opportunity, and Berry made that opportunity totally available to her.”
Rucker was one of approximately 460 graduates to receive their diplomas in May. They heard remarks from Georgia Lottery CEO Gretchen Corbin, a nine-year veteran of Georgia Trend’s list of the 100 Most Influential Georgians and a member of Berry’s extended family through service on the Board of Visitors and her marriage to David Corbin (93C).
