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.