University News

UVA’s Z Society Honors Cedric Rucker With Group’s ‘Highest and Rarest’ Award

Cedric Rucker descended the brick steps into the garden behind Pavilion VI Wednesday, thinking he was joining a group of colleagues and students for a quaint get-together.

He didn’t notice the Virginia Gentlemen a cappella group trailing behind him. Then, one of the singers pulled out a letter from the Z Society, one of the University of Virginia’s historic secret societies.

“We are gathered here this evening to celebrate Cedric Bernard Rucker, the former interim senior associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students,” the student read.

“You lied!” Rucker playfully yelled at his Student Affairs colleagues who’d guided him to the garden under false pretenses, as tears welled in his eyes.

From behind Cedric Rucker takes a picture on his phone of the Virginia Gentlemen singing to him

Rucker records the Virginia Gentlemen, who crooned a few Motown classics during the surprise gathering. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

Rucker, who was asked to forego retirement and return to service at UVA after the Nov. 13, 2022, shootings on Grounds, was presented with the Z Society’s Pale Z Award, “the highest and rarest honor that the Z Society can bestow,” according to the society’s letter read at the gathering.

At an emotionally fraught time on Grounds, Rucker “provided critical leadership and support to the Division of Student Affairs, and the entire student body,” the letter continued. “In just two years, Dean Rucker has become a vital, trusted and beloved advocate for students, exemplifying the deep care for our community that he has demonstrated since his own days as a student here.”

Rucker accepted the award to rousing applause from both students and colleagues.

“I have gratitude for an institution that has given my life meaning, foundationally, putting me on the path where I am able to do the sorts of things that I do,” Rucker told UVA Today after the ceremony. “I am a dean today because of what happened here at UVA.”

Rucker’s times on Grounds serve as bookends to a four-decade career in academia. In the 1980s, he earned a UVA master’s degree and later served as assistant dean of admissions. He then returned to his undergraduate alma mater, the University of Mary Washington, where he served students and the university nearly 33 years, earning the school’s “Eagle Beyond Compare Award.” He retired from Mary Washington in 2022.

After the shootings at UVA, Rucker was asked to return to UVA to serve as interim senior associate dean in the Office of African-American Affairs. President Jim Ryan then asked Rucker to accept a post as interim senior associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students.

But most students didn’t recognize the “interim” in the title. To them, he was simply “Dean Rucker.”

“As he retires, we will miss Dean Rucker’s unparalleled warmth, his genuine love for his work, and the sound of his laughter echoing across Grounds,” the Z Society letter continued. “We honor him for his innumerous contributions to enhancing the lives of students, for never giving up on this University, and for always believing in the power of this place to do good. He is most deserving of this award.”

Group photo of Cedric Bernard with several of the students he has worked with at UVA

Rucker poses with several of the students he’s worked with during his time at Student Affairs. On the far right is Nicole Hall, who is succeeding Rucker. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

Rucker plans to retire, again, and pursue his passion for travel. He will be succeeded by Nicole Hall, one of the evening’s co-conspirators.

Rucker acknowledged that his arrival on Grounds after the tragedy presented him with a daunting task, but he said it was the students who inspired him, rather than the other way around.

“I think one of the most phenomenal experiences was the gathering that happened immediately following that tragedy, and seeing this community come together and uplift one another. That’s UVA,” he said. “And coming into an environment like that itself is inspiring. So, it made it easy to just dive in and help individuals understand that we care for one another. That is a UVA trait.”

The Z Society’s letter concluded its praise of Rucker, borrowing some of the dean’s oft-uttered words.

“To use his own phrase, we, the Z Society, say, ‘Thank you kindly, sir.’”