From the Archives

The year is 1972. Senior Mark Pierce and his girlfriend, Cathy Spainhour, stroll across Atlanta Christian College’s campus in East Point, Georgia, on their way from the cafeteria in Head Hall to Dodson Dorm. The fall season has arrived, and the trees are covered in vibrant red, orange and yellow leaves. Suddenly, professor and photographer Roy McKinney, a friend of both Mark and Cathy, appears and poses them for a beautiful autumnal scene.

“I do not remember the exact circumstances of that photo, except that Roy McKinney snagged us one day as we were walking,” says Mark ’73. “He was the school photographer, and he had an eye for a photo op.”

Those two young college students had no way of knowing what their future would hold, but the early years of their relationship are now immortalized in one wonderful photo. Mark and Cathy ’73 were married on August 18, 1973, after Mark graduated from ACC with a bachelor’s degree in ministry.

Cathy had a successful career as a public school teacher for 30 years, while Mark was ordained as a preaching minister and later went on to be an educator at three different colleges. The couple is now retired, and they have two sons and three grandchildren.

“We both made friendships and other relationships at Atlanta Christian College that have remained an essential part of our lives,” says Mark, reminiscing on his time at ACC. “We still meet with our old roommates and other friends for social events after 50 years.”

Mark and Cathy speak highly of their ACC professors and friends for their lifelong encouragement and help, both during their college years and in the years since. “I’ll never forget McKinney and all that he did for us. He taught us to think critically, and he made us laugh. He preached my ordination sermon in 1973,” says Mark.

Mark went on to describe his love for Dr. Eddie Groover, former president of Atlanta Christian College and chancellor

emeritus. “Eddie helped me in more ways than I can describe. I remember when my father died in March of my senior year, and Eddie especially helped me recover that semester to graduate on time,” he explains. “Eddie is now encouraging the saints in heaven, and I am sure McKinney is still taking photographs of golden streets.”

Mark and Cathy’s experiences at Atlanta Christian College are evidently full of fondness and love. “What we learned there helped us to move to other academic preparation. It also taught us about life itself and prepared us to serve in churches and in the community. We are both grateful for our experiences there,” Mark says. “It helped form us as adults and focused us on the Good Lord and upon good life.”

Have a photo from your college years you want to share with us? Email the photo and your story to editor@point.edu.