Mark Anderson, 51, of Atlanta, Georgia, the president and founder of Anderson and Associates, died October 8, 2007, after suffering a sudden and massive stroke. He was born on June 14, 1956, in Union, South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he was a Blue Key Honor Scholar, and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he received the Emory Fellowship Award.Mark led a life of service to others. For more than 20 years, he provided consulting services to nonprofit organizations throughout the country, which enabled schools, churches and other entities to enhance and better their communities. Parents throughout the Southeast have expressed that their children's schools enjoy facilities and opportunities today which would not exist without Mark's work. Congregations throughout the Carolinas feel that not only have their outdated buildings been rebuilt and restored to vibrancy once again due to Mark's efforts, but also that the entire spirit of their churches has been rejuvenated. Wofford College, an institution very special to Mark, credits Mark's professional work on its behalf for the increase Wofford has enjoyed in meeting scholarship needs for so many of its students. The impact that Mark's professional services has had on communities throughout the country can be further evidenced by his work with The Marcus Institute, a nonprofit organization in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to aiding children with developmental disabilities. Charles M. Shaffer, Jr., President and CEO of The Marcus Institute, reflects that, "Mark was a personable, friendly and genuine human being who had a passion for helping others in need. Mark was a very important advisor to The Marcus Institute in its capital campaign for its new building on Briarcliff Road. Our state-of-the-art building, which is a day treatment facility for thousands of children with developmental disabilities, stands as a lasting tribute to Mark's fundraising expertise and love of children. Mark was a wonderful man and a dear friend of our Institute and of our children treated here, and we will miss him greatly." Not only did Mark lead a life of service to others through his professional career, but he also enthusiastically gave his personal time and energy in leadership roles for many community activities. Mark was elected to the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Metropolitan Atlanta, and he also served as a Big Brother in Big Brothers of America. Mark was passionate about his Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, and he keenly understood the value of investing in young people, as evidenced by his nearly 30 years of volunteer service. Mark was instrumental in making a significant difference in the lives of many young men all over the country. He launched the Officers Leadership Academy, through which young men are trained to strengthen their personal character and leadership skills; he served as Chapter Advisor to the Emory University chapter, leading it to be named the Most Outstanding Chapter in the country; and he served on the fraternity's Supreme Council governing board for many years, helping shape policies consistent with the personal growth of young men in developing solid values. Mark was elected the International President of all of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, during which time he created the Return to Values Initiative to shift the entire focus of the fraternity to guiding and mentoring young men on what it means to be a good man in every aspect of their lives. Mark was recently appointed to serve on the Pi Kappa Alpha Educational Foundation's Board of Trustees. Mark's own Nu chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha at Wofford College established an award in his name which is presented annually to the brother who best exemplifies Mark's philosophy of leadership and commitment of service to others. Mark was an avid athlete who swam competitively in Masters events and who competed in triathlons. He was an accomplished snow skier and enjoyed traveling to his log home in Colorado with his wife and friends. He had a multitude of friends who will always remember him for his kindness, unwavering integrity, sense of humor and radiant smile. His vibrant personality and reassuring voice provided a wonderful stage for Mark's passion for radio, where he once enjoyed being a disc jockey, and his gentle and nurturing manner led to a deep love and concern for animals, especially for his dog Nutmeg. Mark is survived by his wife, Jane R. Orahood of Atlanta, Georgia, his mother, Marion A. Jennings of Union, South Carolina, and two brothers, Thomas G. Anderson of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and William E. Anderson of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Mark is further survived by several nieces and nephews who have expressed their earnest desire to continue his legacy of kindness and caring manner toward others. Mark and his wife had so hoped for a family of their own, and Mark got great joy out of being a father figure to his nieces and nephews. As one nephew expressed, "I hope someday to become half the man my Uncle Mark was." Mark was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Edward Anderson of Union, South Carolina, and by his sister, Elizabeth Anderson Hishon of Atlanta, Georgia.Mark's life will be celebrated at noon, Saturday, October 27, 2007, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 4465 Northside Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, and subsequently in November at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Cashiers, North Carolina, where Mark and Jane were married and where they spent their last days together before Mark's death celebrating their ninth wedding anniversary. Mass and a memorial service will be held at noon, Saturday, November 10, 2007, at Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Mark Anderson Foundation, 400 Colony Square, Suite 1000, Atlanta, Georgia 30361. The Foundation was established following Mark's death by his wife to carry on his philanthropic giving and to further his legacy of enhancing educational and service opportunities for young people. A scholarship fund is also being established in Mark's memory at Wofford College. Contributions may be sent to the Office of Development, Wofford College, 429 North Church Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29303.The H.M. Patterson Funeral Home, Atlanta, GAAnnouncement by The S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home, Union, SC