Alumni Spotlight: Cliff McCrary
Just as the leaves begin to change and the weather begins to shift slightly, a time of remembrance and celebration sparks at Toccoa Falls College. Reunions were brought back to this year’s Homecoming, and those events bring many faces from the college’s past. Homecoming 2021 reignited the sense of fellowship we lost due to the pandemic that has shaken our campus and the world around us.
Clifford McCrary, the All-Star alumni – a title only given to an alumni celebrating 70 plus years since graduation – was very receptive to speaking with me about his life and the impact that Toccoa Falls College had on him.
McCrary arrived on campus during September of 1943 and was a graduate of the Toccoa Falls Academy Class of 1947. He was able to graduate early from the college, with the class of 1950, because he had enough credits to move on to more advanced classes. When reminded that the campus has seen many changes since he graduated, McCrary stated, “They had strict rules, especially concerning relationships.” In the earlier days of the institution, couples were limited to the amount of times that they were allowed to leave campus and were often supervised by an official from the college. “I could tell you a lot, but I do not think those stories can be published,” he chuckled.
When asked about his major, he responded that he had a strong interest in missions – an interest that sparked great preparation for his life later. McCrary had a passion for the Central American Mission but admitted that he was not accepted due to the very strong guidelines held by the different mission boards. Although the rejection was hard, McCrary remained optimistic. He spent most of his life working for the United States Postal Service and retired in 1989. He also spent time in the hills of Arkansas, as well as in North Carolina where he now resides and ministers to different groups of people.
I assured him that students of Toccoa Falls College appreciate the alumni and what they do to support the campus. McCrary’s word of advice to both current students and those preparing to start their careers very soon was this: “Do not fritter away your time. Turn things in on time. It is very hard to get started with what you want to do, but do take any opportunity that you can get.” The All-Star alumni member urged students to give to Toccoa Falls College when they can, because the amount can never pay for the abundance of knowledge that they receive from their professors.
With the shake of his hand, we ended the conversation. I walked away encouraged by the level of faith that he has in God and the endless memories of being a student at Toccoa Falls College.