Danielle Walls’ cousin had a tennis ball-sized brain tumor extracted when he was 3 years old. She closely observed his slow and painful recovery process, particularly the work with occupational therapists and “what a big impact they had” on his full recovery. That is why she is at Brenau, and why she is preparing for a career in occupational therapy.

The Cordele, Georgia, native looked at two possible schools. Brenau was even smaller than her hometown Crisp County High School, which she thought might limit opportunities. However, its national ranking in occupational therapy got her attention. She said she discovered that she really does “enjoy the small class sizes, which made it easier to transition from Cordele to a bigger community.”

However, Walls has her eyes set on the horizon. She has a goal to become a medical missionary in Africa. The desire stems from continuing support that Walls and one of her brothers provides to a child on that continent through Compassion International, a child advocacy ministry that helps more than 1.3 million children in 26 countries. Walls sponsors an African child through this ministry. “[My brother and I] fell in love with him, and we knew that this is what God wanted us to do.”

Her parents always stressed the importance of education. Her father, an electrical engineer, also stressed the importance of straight shooting. As a coach in BB gun, .22 caliber rim fire and shotgun sports, he trained Walls and her four brothers in the art with the mantra, “Never settle for less than the best that you can give.” The siblings competed as a team at the National Shooting Sports Invitational in Nebraska, where they ranked 10th in the nation.

“We all work hard for what we have,” said Walls, who is a member of Delta Delta Delta. “If I didn’t get the Brenau Scholar award, then I wouldn’t be able to come here.”