Who Got You Through?

The best thing about my time at Atlanta Christian College was the faculty. I had many professors who inspired and encouraged me in many ways – John Wade, Olin Hay, Denver Sizemore, Bernard Riley, Wye Huxford, and others.

But the one who affected my future most and in the most important ways was Professor Jim Evans. I am a retired college professor, and it was Prof. Evans who inspired me to spend my life in the college classroom. He was strict and demanding while also being fair and understanding. He had well planned lessons, but always welcomed student questions and would take whatever time was needed to make sure his answers were understood.

I remember very clearly sitting in Prof. Evans’s Greek I class one day, watching him at work, and thinking, “That’s what I want to do.” I did not just want to be a professor – I wanted to be one Prof. Evans could be proud of.

Edmond Gjoni ’03

It was August of 1999, and I was invited to go to Durres, a port city in west Albania, one hour drive from my home in Elbasan, as a translator for a professor in a church. I was an English teacher at that time, and I did not know whom I should translate for.

I went to Durres, and we introduced each other – I am Wye, strange name for me. Nice to meet you, Wye. I am Mondi. I stayed two weeks with brother, and later my father-brother to me, my helper and supporter, beloved Huxford. He deserves all these names, because he really is a good man of God.

He was a quiet person, talked little with a smooth voice. I was privileged to translate for him. After I learned that he was a professor at ACC, I expressed to him a very long desire – to study God’s word and serve in my country, Albania, as a servant of God, proclaiming the Gospel. And to my surprise his answer was yes, why not? This is possible.

Less than one year later, in August 2000, I made it to come to ACC, and here brother Wye as a father took care of anything I needed, more than anyone else, no exaggeration. He provided my sheets, pillows and other basic things until the day I left the USA for good in June 2003. I am very grateful for his help, and I thank the Lord always for him, though he is very modest. May God bless him richly. He is a real pearl in the historic crown of ACC, a.k.a. Point University.

God bless Point in its mission and vision.

Mary Beth Eden ’15 

My time at Point was a time I will never forget. I made lots of friends, took awesome courses, and learned a lot! In 2013, we had just finished up for the year, I was taking Maymester classes and working to get some extra money. I got the call one day while I was at work that I needed to come home. I found out that my father had passed away. This was extremely hard for me. I didn’t want to finish school anymore, but I knew in my heart I needed to. I came back that fall, but it was so hard being away from my family. I had to take some time for my mental health and get better. After going through all that, getting some counseling, having the support of my friends and talking with my professors, I got back on the right track.

If it wasn’t for all my professors, friends, boss and family, I wouldn’t have finished. They are the ones who helped me get through. They picked me up when I was down and brought me back up to help me to the finish line. They gave me wonderful advice that will stick with me forever. I would like to thank them for helping me get through it. I will be forever thankful for everyone who helped me, who was a friend to me, a mentor and helped me achieve my goal! Thank you for helping me get through my time at Point, and making it some of the best years of my life!

The ones who helped me most would be Mr. Huxford, Dr. Blackburn, Dr. Hooks, Dr. Dycus and Sarah Huxford. They helped more than I can imagine. They helped me when I was at my lowest and wanted to give up. They helped me stay positive and helped me learn so much that has stuck with me to this day. They would always check on me and make sure I was on the right track. Without them, I don’t know what I would’ve done. I’m thankful for them and my time at ACC/Point.

Vivian Riley Akins ’79

I graduated in 1979. It was either my sophomore year or my junior year; I decided to join the Backpacking Club for a weekend hike. Not being a real outdoorsy person, this was a real stretch for me. I borrowed a pair of hiking boots from a friend (first mistake) and gave it my best shot. Prof. John Wade was the club sponsor, so he was with us. We hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail. We arrived on a Friday afternoon, and the goal was to arrive at the campsite before nightfall. Started off good enough, until the tent I was carrying on my back kept falling off, and we had to keep stopping to reattach it. Then, as the trail got steeper, I got slower, as inclines have always been an issue for me. The higher we got, the harder it was to breathe. I didn’t know about altitude issues. I got blisters on my feet from wearing someone else’s shoes. I was so behind the others and miserable! But Mr. Wade stayed with me the entire time. He encouraged me and shared with me his wealth of knowledge regarding plants and terrain. He knew the botanical name of every plant we saw! I was so amazed! He was a walking, talking encyclopedia! He rested with me any time I needed a break and never made me feel like I was holding anyone back. We just kept going together. He was that kind of man. I remember in his classes, no matter what question you asked, he made you feel like it was the best question in the world!

There were many professors who helped me along the way and pushed me beyond what I thought my limits were. Warren, McKinney, Sizemore, Hay, Huxford, Swearngin, and more. But this particular story, I thought, was a good example of getting me through something. By the way, I dropped out of the backpacking club.

Holly Hardnett ’20

I would like to share that Rachal Wortham in the Financial Aid Office is the person that has helped me through as an adult student that earned my degree with Point University. Working in the Financial Aid Office is not easy. Learning the financial aid process so that you can help others is not easy, as well. When a person allows God to use them to serve by teaching, leading and guiding, no words can express what it means to the recipient. When I was earning my degree, Point was going through a major leadership transition in the Financial Aid Office, and Rachal stepped in to the director role and guided, taught and encouraged me to keep going and graduate. She is still encouraging today. There were long work nights and early mornings of researching, questions, tears, prayers and laughs that got us through. I often wanted to stop due to being tired and emotionally drained from also helping my grandmother (one of the most important people in my life) through her cancer battle at home as much as I could, but Rachal stayed on me and told me not to give up. She shared her life stories, which encouraged me to do as much as I could, since she earned her education through it all, so I could do it, too. She is an inspiration to other students to keep going and never give up!

Sandra Farmer Maloney ’98

I never thought I would attend college due to a math learning disability. Atlanta Christian College gave me a chance, and it changed my life. Early on in my freshman year, my father became ill and developed cancer. Dr. Blackburn took the time to get to know me and helped me make the decision to return home to help my mom. I got a job and attended a local university until my father passed. Throughout it all, Dr Blackburn kept in touch and became like a second father when I returned to ACC. After graduating with a bachelor of science with an emphasis in missions, I became an admission counselor for the school. While working, my dream of becoming a missionary came true, with the opportunity to live in Bulgaria. Dr. Blackburn encouraged and supported me throughout the two and a half years I lived in Bulgaria. When I came back to Ohio, I met and married my husband, Tom Maloney. Dr. Blackburn made the trip to Ohio to officiate the wedding ceremony. After 19 years of being married and having my beautiful daughter, Neli, Dr. Blackburn and I still keep in touch. I will forever be grateful that he became my mentor throughout college and my adult life. God gave me a chance to find forever friends, develop confidence, learn about missions and get an education at Atlanta Christian College.

Skip Broome ’96

I have two very influential professors whom I kept in contact with years after graduation: Bob Shannon and Wye Huxford.

Bob Shannon was an incredibly kind and gentle human being. His love of God’s word was shown in his actions. He was an incredible homiletician who was always ready to listen to any struggles or successes we had as students or as ministers. His ability to teach us how to prepare and deliver a sermon was unmatched by anyone else at ACC.

The second person I believe needs to be recognized is Wye Huxford. Wye is a person who seemed to have an exterior which was tough to break through. However, he is a person who cared deeply about his students and was always willing to help. I came to appreciate him when I started taking his New Testament classes. He handled God’s word with respect and care. His hermeneutics class helped me understand God’s word in context and what the authors were trying to convey to the readers. I still use the principles I learned in his class to this day!

Wye took me under his wing, and I interned at FIrst Christian of Tyrone. We had regular meetings where he challenged me to live a life worthy of the calling God gave us. He regularly invited me to lunch after church with his family, whom I got to know and appreciate. In fact, I was ordained at Tyrone.

Both of these godly men will always be dear brothers in Christ whom I long to see again, whether on this side or in glory.

Cassidy Waddell Davis ’18

The person who got me through my college career at Point University was Dr. Todd Weaver. I majored in accounting, but I had a lot of classes with Dr. Weaver, like marketing, marketing metrics and economics. His courses were always so fun and interesting. He was, and still is, always so helpful to connect me with other business professionals to help me be successful. I know that even today, I could email him, and he would answer my questions or point me in the direction I need. The kindness that Dr. Weaver and his wife spread to students at Point University is inspirational and truly made me want to continue to do my best and be as successful as possible. I am thankful for his leadership and friendship!

William Mark Vaughn ’87

Dr. Groover is one who helped get me through. One day, while playing basketball at practice, I noticed a lump under my neck. I went to see Dr. Groover’s wife, Belinda, who was the college nurse. She suggested that I go to see Dr. Harper, who was more or less the college doctor. I had mononucleosis. I eventually had to sit out my junior year as a player because of fatigue and to allow time for my body to heal. His counsel and friendship then and through the years that followed have helped tremendously as an individual. His steadfastness as a Christian leader has helped me keep the faith.

Tessie Jones ’13

I was battling severe depression as I struggled with the effects of PTSD from my time in the Navy. I was just about ready to quit not only school, but life, and Professor Shirley Thompson-Lewis worked with me and mentored me through that difficult time. Not only did I stay in school, I ended up graduating summa cum laude, Class of 2013. Thank you to Point University for providing such loving and caring professors that care not only about their students’ academic performance, but their lives and wellbeing.

Troy Appling ’97

One cold Monday morning in January 1994, on my first-ever day of college, I would meet an instructor who would almost single-handedly change the course of my career. It was Composition I, and I was sitting toward the front of the class, since all the good seats were taken. Right before class was to begin, a short, older gentleman with blazing white hair stalked into the classroom. Ralph Warren had arrived in all his curmudgeonly glory, and class was now in session.

My mother had grown up attending First Christian Church of College Park, where Mr. Warren was the choir director, so I had known him for years. Yet the man in the classroom was NOT the man from the choir loft. As a kid, I thought of him as a jovial musician with an infectious laugh. As a student, I came to view him as an intense but fair taskmaster (who taught me more about parsing the English language than I ever thought possible). We all lived in fear of being called out with a lovingly sarcastic, “Boo, Hiss, Mr. Appling. Is that really how that clause is connected?”

I quickly learned, though, that Mr. Warren was just as concerned with his students’ lives outside of the composition classroom. Halfway through that first semester, Mr. Warren asked me to stay after class for a minute. He told me that the Heritage Players, ACC’s theater group, was staging a murder mystery, and had a sudden opening for a minor character. I agreed, and Digger Dan was born, followed by Noah in “Once Upon a Beginning,” Jack in “Jonah and the German Whale,” and others. My Golden Gurney, a gold spray-painted wooden G given to each member of the Players, held a treasured spot in my house for years after I graduated, a reminder of all the laughter and hard work we put in, and the man who made it all possible.

I mentioned that Mr. Warren almost single-handedly changed the course of my career. When I first came to ACC, I was going to study business and then transfer somewhere else to get a degree in computer science. Mr. Warren’s passion for literature, and his excellence in teaching it, convinced me that I did not want to be stuck behind a computer for the rest of my life. I changed my major and became one of the first students to graduate with a degree in humanities.

One my most powerful memories of Mr. Warren is actually the last time I was with him. By now, I had gotten my Ph.D. in English and was teaching full-time at a small college in north Florida. My wife and I had come up to attend the last Homecoming in Westside Chapel. Mr. Warren had contacted me a few weeks earlier to see if I would be there, and I told him yes. He then made me an offer that had me literally speechless. He was packing up his office for the last time and told me that he had several file boxes filled with his old books and notes that he wanted me to have. I recently moved into a new office, myself, and on the top of one of my bookshelves is a row of Bantam Shakespeare plays, each one overflowing with sticky notes, paper clips, and — most importantly — the immaculate red handwriting of one of the most dedicated Christian educators I ever had the pleasure to meet.

Marvin Bussey ’86

When I was in my senior year at Butler High School in Augusta, Georgia, I was not planning to attend college, because I thought I was not strong enough in my academics to do college work.  I also knew my family could not afford to pay for my college tuition. After I graduated, I started working for UPS and planned to save enough money to open a business. I got interested in business in high school when I began selling candy to the other students. Please do not tell my former principal.

So how did I end up attending college? I went to an old-fashioned, all-night prayer service at my church. As the night wore on, I fell asleep and had a dream about being in college. Fortunately, I knew a member of my church who was attending Atlanta Christian College. I became interested, later visited the college, and decided to apply.

After I applied, I spoke with Mrs. Nancy Taylor in admissions and began to build a rapport with her. I was excited about the prospect of attending college, but I still had concerns about getting accepted. I was clueless about the process and all the criteria: the grade requirements, SAT scores, references, etc., so I did what I thought I knew to get into the school ─ I wrote a letter of appeal to Mrs. Nancy Taylor.

In my letter, I explained to Mrs. Taylor that my family could not afford to send me to college, but I really wanted to attend. I sent her a picture of myself and wrote, “Mrs. Taylor, if you let me come to the college, I will cut my Afro.” Yes, I do laugh at myself now for thinking that a personal letter about getting a haircut would help get me admitted to college. Well, maybe it did convince her of my determination, because after following the process for college admission, I was accepted to the school. Thank you, Mrs. Taylor!

I graduated from Atlanta Christian College in 1986. Equipped for service, I went to work, and then after a few years, I started a nonprofit organization that is still operating today. Years later, I received the Alumnus of The Year Award from ACC, and at the event, Mrs. Taylor and I chuckled about that letter. I currently serve on the board of trustees at Point University. I am thankful to all the professors, staff and administration for making an impact on my life and preparing me for Christ-centered service in the community.

Cindy Thompson ’77

I am a 1977 graduate of Atlanta Christian College with a B.S. in Christian education. During my four years at ACC, I met many lifelong friends that I stay in touch with even today. I also met my husband, Jerry Thompson ’77, there, and we married in the summer before our senior year at ACC.

ACC truly helped to mold us into the people that we are today. I hold those friendships as dear treasures to our hearts even now. Jerry and I are in our 50th year of ministry, as he has been preaching for 50 years in service to the kingdom of God. Serving our Lord in ministry has been one of the greatest blessings in our lives! While we may one day retire from a located ministry, we will never retire from serving our Lord!

God definitely had a plan for my continued years as an ACC student. When I was just a freshman, I worked two hours each weekday in a secretarial group who typed for some of the professors. I noticed how friendly they all were and was pleasantly surprised. I worked for Professor Evans in typing his Greek tests on an IBM typewriter that typed in Greek. That was interesting enough, but it was Professor Sizemore who spent a great amount of time discipling me on some of the issues of Christian doctrine concerning baptism. You see, I came from a different denominational background, and I was confused on some of the teachings. Each day he would jot down some Scriptures for me to read that night, and we would discuss them the next day. He wisely told me: “The safest and most accurate course of study is to let the Bible teach you about these doctrines. You cannot place your trust in man-made ordinances of any church.” I was amazed at his patience and compassion in being willing to teach me and lead me to a solid understanding of the Scriptures. Thank you so much, Professor Sizemore, for your gift of time!

God had a plan for me! I always wanted to go to a Bible college, because I wanted my college years to help strengthen me in my faith. I also had always dreamed of being a pastor’s wife but wasn’t sure of God’s plans for me just yet. I had a good friend from high school, Diane Howard (’73-’74), who told me about ACC, and invited me to go for a visit with her and her family. Imagine my surprise when President Redmon invited us into his office and officially welcomed us. He asked me about my future plans, and I shared with him my heart’s desire to go to a Bible college. He said, “Look no more! You have come to the right place!” So I sat in his office and filled out my application that very day! God had a plan! My parents supported my decision to go. Diane and I became roommates in Dodson Dorm, where Mom Collins treated us as if we were all her children!

In the last few months of my freshman year, my home situation was changing. My father became disabled, and it was evident that I would not be financially able to continue with college. I resigned myself to the fact that I would go home and find a secretarial job there. It wasn’t what I wanted, but I accepted that as what I must do. I reluctantly started saying my goodbyes, and my heart was aching inside.

But God had a plan! That next night at graduation, I was shocked when my name was called for the Class of 1974 full scholarship to continue another year at ACC! I knew that God was writing a different story, even in spite of my circumstances!

I sailed through my sophomore year and began dating Jerry Thompson. God did have a plan, as we became engaged in October of my junior year. I had also applied for scholarships in order that I might be able to afford to continue. I applied for a Kiwanis Club of Atlanta scholarship. While I was not selected for that particular award, I was contacted by a couple who were members of that club. They saw my financial need and wanted to “adopt” me to pay for my tuition, room and board! Indeed, God was still at work in my life in supplying my every need! This couple supported me through the rest of my college time at ACC and attended our wedding as well. We remained great friends for many years until God called them home.

God did have an amazing plan for this young girl from south Georgia. When you choose to honor Him, and put Him above all else, there is nothing that He can’t accomplish through His people! I thank God for Atlanta Christian College/Point University. This institution helped to mold my husband and I into the people that we are to this day, beginning our 50th year of ministry, and 48th year of marriage. She is an institution that keeps on giving. Her sphere of influence is ever present in her graduates living and making a difference throughout our world today. God does have a plan!

Caroline Stinson ’17, ’21

I’ve been around Point University/ACC for practically all of my life. My sister and I were the fourth generation of our family to attend. So, while I was preparing to go, my mom suggested that I get a student job in the library, because she thought I would enjoy Mr. Michael Bain as a boss, like she did when she worked in the library as a student. I took my mom’s advice and introduced myself to Mr. Bain. Upon my introduction and telling him whose daughter I am, he responded with, “Very nice to meet you; you make me feel old.” We were going to be great friends.

This led to me working five and a half years with Mr. Bain. He and I discovered that we shared a love of music, movies, sarcastic remarks and the ability to find ourselves far funnier than anyone else did. I remember one of my shifts in the library, where I went into his office to show him on YouTube a new a cappella group I had just found, which led us down a rabbit hole of him sharing older a cappella groups with me, and me introducing him to newer groups. After going back and forth in sharing music, he stopped and remarked, “We’ve been looking at videos for two hours of your shift now. I’m a bad boss, you’re a bad employee . . . let me show you this Karen Carpenter song.” Anytime I listen to Karen Carpenter, I think of Mr. Bain.

Mr. Bain was such a staple of my Point experience. He became a third grandfather for me; when my paternal grandfather passed away in my sophomore year, and then my maternal grandfather passed in 2023, Mr. Bain’s presence was heavily appreciated.

I was a music major in 2020-21, and Mr. Bain wasn’t sure if he would be able to make my senior recital, so he asked if he could attend my recital jury so he could hear what I’d been working on. I happily let him join. He later found out that he could attend my recital and came to that, as well. Both times, he shared his encouragement, his kind critiques, and his jokes about how he had messed up in previous performances so as to soothe my nerves.

Mr. Bain and I are still good friends. We have Zoom calls once a month and check in on each other. I listen to him wax poetic about his retirement, he listens to me dream and plan my career goals as a counselor, and we still think that we are far funnier than anyone else does.

Dell Stephens Hagood ’71

In response to the request for faculty members who facilitated and encouraged students, I would like to relate how Academic Dean William C. Bravard did so for me.

It was the beginning of my senior year at Atlanta Christian College. I was called into Dean Bravard’s office and wondered what I had done to cause this. He proceeded to tell me that I was lacking commercial science credits in order to graduate in 1971. Needless to say, I was stunned and upset at the thought that I would not be a part of the Class of 1971 graduating. Dean Bravard assured me that he would help and had already looked into a way. For the rest of my senior year, I was to work for Professor V.G. Gilbert to earn applied work credits in order to fulfill the requirements for a B.S. in Christian education/commercial science.

I was both grateful and relieved at this late date in my college education that Dean Bravard had discovered the shortage and facilitated a path for me to graduate with my class.