TFAA History—Governance

The overall leadership of the Alumni Association falls under the guidance of the Alumni Office, specifically, the Toccoa Falls Alumni Director. However, the authority vested in the alumni association shall proceed from the membership-at-large, and the governance of the association is overseen by the Board of Directors as designated in the Constitution. The organization’s authority and actions shall be subject to the Alumni Office, and ultimately, to the Board of Trustees. (Article 2)

Since 1923, the alumni association has had a president who provided leadership and governance to the alumni association. Mr. Cecil Hall (1921) was appointed as the first Alumni President in that year. From that point up to mid 1950’s, a volunteer alumnus served as president selected by the membership at large.

In 1958 the college created a staff position and named Rev. Hendon Brown to the position of Alumni Relations Director. His first task was to develop a board of directors, appointing members to serve and selecting a president. For well over eighty-five years, Toccoa Falls has had volunteer alumni, governing the alumni association, and that continues to this day.

Following is a list of those individuals who sacrificed time, energy, and resources to help make the association stronger for its membership base and to build lasting relationships within the organization.

  • 2009-present—Rebecca (Kim, 1996) Anaya
  • 2006-2009—Pat McGarvey (1978)
  • 2004-2005—Sharon Sanderson (1971)
  • 2001-2003—Roy English (1977)
  • 1998-2000—Tim Henning (1975)
  • 1997—Sharon Sanderson (1971)
  • 1994-1996—Ken Carroll (1979)
  • 1991-1993—Ron Rowe (1972)
  • 1988-1990—Carl Fennell (1971)
  • 1986-1987—Clarence Madison (HS 1954)
  • 1984-1985—David Eby (1972)
  • 1981-1983—Florence Setterlof (1960)
  • 1978-1980—Wayne Gardner (1969)
  • 1972-1977—Clifford McCrary (HS 1947, BC 1950)
  • 1971—
  • 1969-1970—Jack Chellew (1951)
  • 1968—
  • 1967—
  • 1966—
  • 1965—
  • 1963-1964—Jack Martin
  • 1962—Nathan Penland, Sr. (HS 1940)
  • 1961—
  • 1958-1960—James Rich
  • 1957—Oliver Nealy (1958)
  • 1956—T. Perry Brannon (1926)


  • 1923—Cecil Hall (1921)

The alumni association is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership-at-large. This includes three officers, president, vice president, secretary and six directors. In addition, three non-elected representatives are appointed by the president to serve. They are Missionaries-in-Residence, Student Government President, and a Board of Trustee member. The Alumni Director is an ex-officio member of the board.

By virtue of the Office of President of the Alumni Association, it was deemed appropriate for that individual to represent the alumni association in two specific college memberships. One of those was the President’s Advisory Council (PAC) which was renamed President’s Task Force in 2001. This group was instituted under Dr. Paul Alford’s presidency and disbanded under Dr. Gardner’s administration in 2006.

The second membership representation was on the Board of Trustees. During 2004, it was determined that communication efforts would be strengthened if there were cross representation between the alumni and trustee boards. Therefore, the Alumni Board President and a selected Trustee member sits in on the others board meetings in an ex officio capacity. This has proven to be invaluable for both boards.

The primary function of the board of directors is to support the various endeavors of the college through prayer and giving. It is through their efforts scholarships are awarded, buildings are built, and many projects on campus are completed. The alumni association is the strongest supporting entity of Toccoa Falls College. Regardless of major, vocation, or location, each member is an integral part of an association with a rich heritage that binds us together for one common purpose, and that is to fulfill the mission of Toccoa Falls College to prepare men and women to take the gospel of Jesus Christ into their world.

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