Ken Sanders Retires from Student Affairs after 32 years
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.
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.