Features
Sanders to retire at Toccoa Falls College
Ken Sanders, who has served as Vice President/Dean of Students for Toccoa Falls College since 1976, will retire 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.
Ken and his wife Helen began there teaching careers in Dalton Public School system in 1967, where Helen taught social studies at City Park and Ken began teaching at North Dalton School. Ken’s coaching career started in Dalton as he coached football under Bill Chapel, from 1967 – 1969 and was part of the staff that won the state championship. In 1969, Ken was asked to head the baseball program and in 1970 he was assigned the head basketball position at Dalton High.
“Helen and I have always felt honored to have been part of the school system in Dalton, and those were the five best years as we started out in our careers. We met some wonderful friends in Dalton and have cherished those memories”. Ken and Helen were members of the First Baptist Church of Dalton, and their first daughter, Christi was born at Dalton Memorial Hospital.
Ken arrived on the campus of Toccoa Falls in June 1972, to begin teaching and coaching at Toccoa Falls Academy. After four years in the academy it was closed and he then had to make a decision to begin teaching at Stephens County High School or become the second Dean of Students at Toccoa Fall College. He chose to continue his ministry at the school the Lord led him to in 1972.
For 32 years Ken has served as the Chief Officer of Student Affairs and has held positions as Athletic Director, coached men and women’s basketball, baseball, cross-county, and golf. He has served on the administrative board of the college for 30 years and secretary of the board for over 20 years.
“In 1976, when I started in this position the college enrollment was around 400 students with 6 full time staff and 9 student workers in student affairs department. We currently have over 900 students, 600 living on campus and 300 living off-campus. The student affairs staff has grown to 12 full time employees and over 30 student workers.”
The biggest challenge for Ken came on November 6th, 1977, during his second year as dean. This was when the college faced the tragedy of the dam breaking above the falls and 39 of its community lost in the aftermath. “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 not only going to survive, but would be stronger as a result. I have mentioned often that what was a tragedy for the college became a testimony to Him and his faithfulness of His saints. It was during those days the community and the college became “one”. The support the college received from the community was amazing and which established a relationship many small communities and small colleges do not share. I am so thankful to the people of Stephens County and their support of the college and especially for their support of our mission.”
In his service at the college Ken has been inducted into the NCCAA Hall of Fame, selected three times as regional Coach of the Year, received the Alumnus Service Award, and awarded the President’s Medallion. He has served the Association of Biblical Higher Education, which is the accrediting association of the college, in evaluating colleges all over the United States. He has served on an evaluation team in the area of student affairs at more than 15 schools seeking accreditation into the association.
Ken will be serving the college in his new role, beginning this summer and will be involved in athletics which has always been his passion. His responsibilities would include publicity of the sports programs, maintaining the website, recruitment of students and coaching the golf team.
He is a graduate of Piedmont College, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1983, and received his Master from the University of Georgia. Married to Helen Damron for over 40 years, and they have two daughters, Christi and Kendra. Christi is married to Mitch Huskison, and they have twin grandsons, Kennan and Carter. Mitch is the Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church in Waynesville, NC and Kendra has just moved to Florida, where she is working in the real estate field.
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