Quartermans Receive Red Cross Award

Toccoa Falls, GA – Bill and Cyd Quarterman, counseling faculty at Toccoa Falls College, will receive the Life Saving Merit Award during the Red Cross banquet in Gainesville on August 19. The award will be presented by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.

The Quartermans, long-time volunteers of the Red Cross and trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), were able to use their training last June while vacationing on Tybee Island. While walking along the beach the couple heard screams for help. A young boy had drowned and was being pulled out of the water. Bill and Cyd were able to use their training in CPR and were able to resuscitate the young man.

EMS arrived to continue the aid, but the lifesaving skills of Bill Quarterman saved the young 12-year-old’s life. The Quartermans had the opportunity to meet Anthony this past Christmas, and Bill says, “I can’t help but think Anthony has been given another chance at life. I believe we were given a chance as well. A chance to tell the world, ‘Hey, this CPR stuff really works!”

TFC Mourns the Loss of Alum

Toccoa Falls College - The Toccoa Falls College community mourns with the Widman family over the loss of Andrew, killed in the line of duty last Friday, July 11. Andrew was a 1999 graduate from the School of World Mission who had hoped to minister overseas along with his wife Susanna. In a letter to Andrew's wife, college President, Dr. Wayne Gardner said, "We were blessed to have had Andy as a part of the Toccoa Falls College family during the late 1990s. As I read the news releases, I see that Andy's testimony for the Lord was clear and sure and purposeful. Matthew 5:9 says, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.' We mourn with the family, and we praise the Lord for Andy's purposeful life, and we are praying for the family. We have the assurance that we will see Andy again in heaven as the Lord promised." Sharon Sanderson, Director for College and Alumni Relations, said, "Andy typifies our alumni in the field of service where each has been trained to be a servant leader in local, national, and international communities." The entire college family stands with Susanne and the children along with the Ft. Myers community who has lost a shining example of devotion and Christ-likeness. Our prayers are with you all.

Sanders Retires After 32 Years of Service

Toccoa Falls, GA – Ken Sanders, who has served as Vice President/Dean of Students for Toccoa Falls College since 1976, retired from that position as of June 30th. However, he will only have to cross the street to the Lois DeLany Gymnatorium to assume a part-time position for the college as Sports Information Director.

“I arrived on campus in June 1972 to begin teaching and coaching at Toccoa Falls Academy. After four years in the academy, it closed and I had to make a decision to either teach at Stephens County High School or to become the second Dean of Students at Toccoa Fall College. I chose to continue my ministry with Toccoa Falls where the Lord led me in 1972”.

“In 1976, during my first year as Dean, enrollment was approximately 400 students with 6 full-time staff and 9 student workers in the student affairs department. We currently have over 900 students, 600 living on campus and 300 living off-campus, and the staff has grown to 12 full-time employees and over 30 student workers.”

The biggest challenge for Ken came on November 6, 1977, during his second year as Dean of Students. The college faced the tragedy of the dam-break above the falls, losing 39 members of its campus community in the aftermath. Ken recalls, “It was during those few days the Lord told me He was in control and that, even in such destruction and death, He would eventually be lifted-up and the college was going to survive and become a testimony to God’s faithfulness.”

For 32 years Ken has served as the Chief Officer of Student Affairs and has held positions of Athletic Director and coach of men and women’s basketball, baseball, cross-county, and golf teams. He has served on the administrative board of the college for 30 years and as Secretary of the board for over 20 years.

Ken has been inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame, was selected three times as regional Coach of the Year, has received the Alumnus Service Award, and was awarded the President’s Medallion. He has served the Association of Biblical Higher Education, an accrediting association of the college, in evaluating colleges all over the United States. He has served on an evaluation team in student affairs at more than 15 schools seeking accreditation into the association.

Ken will be begin his new role as Sports Information Director involving him in athletics, which has always been his passion. His responsibilities will include publicity of the sports programs, maintaining the athletic website, recruitment of students, and coaching the golf team. Dr. Wayne Gardner, President of Toccoa Falls College, said of Ken, “I have appreciated his work and friendship and I am glad he will remain this next year in the athletic department.”

Ken is a graduate of Piedmont College and received his Master’s degree from the University of Georgia. He has been married to Helen Damron for over 40 years. They have two daughters, Christi and Kendra, and twin grandsons.

TFC Named a Best Regional College

Toccoa Falls, GA – Toccoa Falls College joins other prestigious schools such as Clemson University, Georgia College and State University, and Palm Beach Atlantic University as one of the Best Regional Colleges by the Princeton Review.

The Princeton Review is a pioneer in the world of education. Founded in 1981, the Princeton Review offers tutoring and test preparation to help students improve their college entrance exam scores. The Review works with school districts around the United States to measurably strengthen students’ academic skills. Every year, the Review surveys thousands of students and compiles their “Best Of” lists from those responses, and they are divided into topics such as, “About Yourself,” “Your School’s Academics/Administration,” and “Life at School.” These lists assist students and guidance counselors with information to help select colleges to attend.

According to some of the responses made by students of Toccoa Falls College, “Professors are qualified and, for the most part, entertaining and enlightening.” “The administration and professors are very involved in student life outside the classroom, which I like a lot. I feel like most of my professors are my friends but they are still professional about it.” President Dr. Wayne Gardner sees a direct correlation between many of the responses from Toccoa Falls College students and one of the core components of the school’s Vision Statement that speaks to a “caring Christian community” principle.

TFC's Green Intiatives

Toccoa Falls, GA – In response to the ongoing concern of our environment, Toccoa Falls College has established a number of initiatives to help the college take better care of its natural surroundings.

The summer of 2007, Dr. Wayne Gardner, President of Toccoa Falls College, signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), which says that colleges and universities will take the lead in their communities by modeling ways to minimize harmful effects to the environment and to educate their students to be good stewards of their environment.

Along with the ACUPCC agreement, Toccoa Falls College has entered an agreement with Aramark Corporation (the college’s food service provider) by initiating several water and energy saving procedures.

Alan Coker, Vice President of Operations for Toccoa Falls College, has requested the operations staff to purchase only Energy Star appliances, when available, and utilize “green” products on all new buildings. According to Jerry Williamson, physical plant manager, the newest dormitory on the campus has been built using 15% green products.

A student recycling program is set to begin during the 2008 fall semester, and the college maintenance department recycles all expendables on campus in accordance with EPA standards. In addition to these plans, the college is currently working on an energy management plan and will soon issue directives on energy conservation as part this management plan.

TFC Camp Support Team

Toccoa Falls College’s Camp Support Team begins its first summer of ministry. The team, comprised of Adam Moser, Ashley Kendrick, Becky McElroy, Jessica Shaw and Ryan Johnson, will be ministering in camps in Alabama, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.

The primary objective of the Camp Support Team is to augment the outreach ministry of Toccoa Falls College with the dual purpose of representing the college through counseling, camp programming and testimony, and to bring honor to Jesus Christ.

Rejoice Begins Summer Tour

Rejoice, the traveling music team from Toccoa Falls College, began its summer tour May 24. They will be ministering in churches in North Carolina, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The group will also be serving in various camps in the month of July where their duties will include counseling, leading worship and devotions, and helping in camp activities.

The groups latest CD, Could We With Ink, is now available. The project includes 10 songs (six new performances and four from previous CDs) and is available through the Advancement Office. Call 706-886-7299, ext. 5205 for more information and to order your CD.

Class of 2008!

Toccoa Falls, GA – Saturday, May 17, the Grace Chapel and Performing Arts Center played host to the 2008 Commencement of Toccoa Falls College. Students, representing nine schools and over 20 majors, completed their degree requirements and prepared for the next step in their professional careers.

The graduates were encouraged by commencement speaker Dr. George Durance, President of Ambrose University College in Calgary, Canada who was presented, earlier, with the President’s Medallion. Also presented a medallion was Rev. Malcolm Cash.

Graduation 2008

Toccoa Falls College graduation ceremonies will be held Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, at the Grace Chapel and Performing Arts Center. Graduation weekend starts with Baccalaureate services beginning at 7:30, Thursday evening and concludes with Commencement, Saturday morning starting at 10:30.

The Reverend Naolue Taylor Kue, Hmong District Superintendent of The Christian and Missionary Alliance will be the Baccalaureate speaker. He has served the Christian and Missionary Alliance as a pastor in Colorado and as a missionary to Thailand. Reverend Kue has been in his current role since 2006.

Dr. George M. Durance, President of Ambrose University College in Calgary, Canada, will bring the Commencement address at this year’s ceremony. Dr. Durance has been the president of Ambrose University College, the official school of the C&MA in Canada, for eleven years. Previous to his time as president, he served overseas as a missionary with the C&MA in Germany.

Chapman to Speak at Toccoa Falls College

Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the bestselling book The Five Love Languages, will be speaking at Toccoa Falls College, Thursday, April 24 at 7p.m. He will speak in two sessions dealing with the five languages of love and the language of apology.

Tickets for this event are five dollars and can be purchased at the door. This event is being sponsored by First United Methodist Church of Toccoa. For more information on this event please call (706) 886-7299, ext. 5218

Spring Concert

Toccoa Falls, GA – Toccoa Falls College Spring Concert will be performed on Thursday, April 17, beginning at 8 p.m. at the Grace Chapel and Performing Arts Center. The performance will include selections from works written by Sarah Williams, music major of Toccoa Falls College, plus performances honoring Rosa Parks.

Other notable performances include: the hand-bell ensemble performing a Latin American praise hymn, the college choir performing a variety of choral arrangements including works written by the late Moses Hogan, and the Singing Men performing works presented during their five-day tour

Howard Dayton to Speak at Toccoa Falls College

Toccoa Falls, GA – Howard Dayton, co-founder of Crown Financial Ministries in Gainesville, Georgia, will be speaking during chapel services at Toccoa Falls College on Wednesday, April ninth at 10 A.M.

Howard Dayton has served full-time, without compensation, at Crown Financial Ministries since 1985, at which time he founded Crown Ministries in Longwood, FL. Crown Ministries merged with Christian Financial Concepts, founded by Larry Burkett, in September 2000 to form Crown Financial Ministries, the world’s largest financial ministry.

Howard has been the host of the nationally syndicated radio programs, Money Matters, How to Manage Your Money, and Ted and Tony, and is a frequent speaker, both domestically and internationally. Howard has also authored a number of books including Your Money Counts, Free and Clear, Your Money Map, and Crown’s Small Group Studies

A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Howard also served two and half years as a naval officer. Howard is married and has two grown children.

TFC Jazz Band in Concert Tonight!!

The TFC Jazz Band will be performing a FREE concert tonight, April 1 at 7:30 (no fooling!!) in the Grace Auditorium on the campus of Toccoa Falls College. The concert will feature guest saxophonist David Fry plus a wide variety of jazz and pop selections.

Aaron Shust in Concert

Aaron Shust will perform on the campus of Toccoa Falls College, Friday, March 28 at 7pm. The concert will take place at the Grace Auditorium. Tickets are still available at Lifeway Christian Bookstore in Anderson, SC and at the Mall of Georigia location in Buford, GA, and at Sonshine Christian bookstore in Toccoa.

Joining Aaron on the Whispered and Shouted Tour will be Brandon Heath performing hits off his latest project "Don't Get Comfortable" including his Dove Award nominated song, "I'm Not Who I Was", and Meredith Andrews performing music from her debut release "Mesmerized".

TFC Jazz Band to Perform

The TFC Jazz Band Concert, under the direction of TFC professor Wm. David Stufft, will perform April 1 at 7:30 PM in Grace Auditorium. The concert will last one hour and will include a wide variety of jazz and pop selections plus a variety of excellent soloists including professional saxophonist, Mr. David Fry.

David, a native of the Toccoa area, has played professionally in this region for many years. He will be playing one of the classic alto saxophone solos entitled “Harlem Nocturne,” plus a number of other pieces like “My Funny Valentine,” “My Foolish Heart”.

David will also join the saxophone section of the band for a number of pieces such as Chuck Mangione’s “Land of Make Believe,” and Sting’s “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.” On many of the band pieces David will play short, improvised jazz solos at some point in the song.

David will also be featured on an up-tempo tenor sax duet with TFC alumni Mitch Mauthe. Fry and Mauthe will join forces to perform Howard Rowe’s new pop/jazz composition entitled “Fast Forward.”

The concert will also feature a number of College vocal soloists who will join the jazz band for hits such as Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why” sung by Jaclin Newman, Gershwin’s “They Can’t take that Away From Me” featuring vocalist Anna Marie Taylor, “My Funny Valentine” with solo vocalist India Ward and a great Latin Jazz piece from the Disney movie the Jungle Book entitled “I Wanna’ Be Like You,” featuring B. J. Miller on vocals and various members of the band on improvised solos.

Rollin Ford to Speak at TFC

Toccoa Falls, GA – Rollin Ford, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., will be speaking at Toccoa Falls College, Tuesday, April 8 during the 10 a.m. chapel service.

Ford joined Wal-Mart in 1983. He worked his way up through the logistics organization, managing all aspects of the supply chain. He eventually reached the position of Executive Vice President of Logistics and Supply Chain where he had operating responsibility for all general merchandise, fashion, grocery, Sam’s Club, import, and distribution centers. In his current role as chief information officer, he oversees the strategies and execution of all applications and infrastructures worldwide.

Ford, a graduate of Taylor University in Upland, IN, is affiliated with a number of organizations including Retail Industry Leaders Association. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and St. Mary’s Hospital, board member of The Seiyu, Ltd., and GS1 Management Board.

Toccoa Falls College was founded in 1907 and is a four-year Christian college that uniquely integrates Biblical truth, academic excellence, and intentional Spiritual Formation in a caring, Christian community. For information on Toccoa Falls College, please visit www.tfc.edu or contact Public Relations at 706-886-7299, ext. 5218