"The scholarship will pretty much cover everything," says Rivers. "I still find this hard to believe."

Rivers will begin his graduate classes in medicine this fall. He plans to study internal medicine, but he still wants to leave the door open for other interests.

After he graduates from Mercer University, he plans to incorporate teaching into his work. Some of his post-graduate goals include instructing medical students during their clinical rotations and offering high school and college students the opportunity to shadow his practice to see if they want to become doctors.

"I feel that passing on knowledge to future generations is one of the best methods of giving back to the community from which we came," Rivers explains.

When Rivers first began attending classes at Clayton State, he had plans to graduate with a degree in Integrative Studies with a focus in business so that he could expand his private investment practice. However, after the attack on the World Trade Towers in 2001 his studies turned towards biology.

"I wanted a career with a purpose... something that I could do to earn a living that would have a profound positive effect on the lives of those that I served," Rivers shares. "After I made the decision to pursue medicine, I felt I needed to change to a science degree to be as prepared as possible for the MCAT and medical school. Fortunately, this is another one of Clayton State’s strong areas."

Rivers originally planned to transfer to a larger school, however…

"I loved the smaller class sizes, the ability to speak with professors before and after class, and the fact that the classes were taught by professors, not teaching assistants," explains Rivers.

While at Clayton State, Rivers was very active on campus. He was a member of the Campus Life Advisory Board for one year and served as president of Clayton State’s chapter of the American Medical Student Association for two years.

"Ja Rivers is exactly the type of student the University strives to produce," says Jeff Jacobs, associate dean of students and senior director of judicial affairs. "He is a student who demonstrates superior academic achievement while being active in leadership and other student activities on campus."

Just before graduating in December 2005, Rivers presented an abstract based on research with Dr. Michelle Furlong, Clayton State associate professor of biology, on soil microbial ecology to the American Society for Microbiology South East Branch (ASMSEB). While at this event, he also won an award for the best undergraduate student presentation.

"Ja’s accomplishments in the laboratory are not shared by many undergraduate students. Very few students can complete a scientific research project in only three months," says Furlong. "He was by far the best student I have ever had complete a research project with me."

Rivers lives in Jackson, Ga., with his wife, Christy. Both are natives of Leesburg, Ga. When not studying, he enjoys wildlife photography and scuba diving.

Of the 1,100 graduate students to apply for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Rivers was one of 77 who were awarded scholarships. The Foundation is national scholarship program intended to help young people reach their full potential through higher education. It awards up to $50,000 annually to students who show exceptional promise.