Instructor, Students Receive Honors at McDowell Tech

Academic Excellence Winner—Angela Buchanan

When Angela Buchanan finished high school in 1997, going on to college seemed like an insurmountable dream. She was a young mother with a two-year old child to care for, and her responsibilities as a mother took precedence over everything else. She sought employment in the medical field, working first as a receptionist in an ophthalmology office, and then in an obstetrics and gynecology office. In 2005, she transitioned to a position with Sonocare in Morganton, a medical provider specializing at the time in mobile ultrasounds. Since that time, the company has grown and established itself as an independent provider of ultrasounds and x-rays. She has held progressively responsible positions with the company and is now Office Manager for the organization, responsible for IT applications, office operations management, accounts receivable and client relations. During her 18 years with the company, she also mentored high school students interested in careers in ultrasound and raised more than $10,000 to support breast cancer patients through a local Good Samaritan Clinic.

In 2021, Angela decided that the time was right to fulfill her dream of a college education and enrolled as a student at McDowell Tech while continuing to work full-time with Sonocare. Her instructors have described her as an exceptional student. Jessica Huskins commented that, “Angela Buchanan approaches her studies with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a strong work ethic with her work-based learning.” She maintained a 3.8 GPA (grade point average) during her studies, was on the college’s Dean’s List, and exhibited growth in her professional endeavors at work.

Angela’s character, work ethic, leadership skills, and commitment to personal and professional growth have earned her a solid reputation for excellence in all that she does, and for all these reasons, she was chosen as McDowell Tech’s 2024 Academic Excellence Winner.

Julie Buckner Buchanan Presidential Leadership Award—Emily Alfaro

In 2023, McDowell Tech awarded its first Julie Buckner Buchanan Presidential Leadership Award, named in honor of Julie Buckner Buchanan, a former McDowell Tech employee who passed away earlier this year due to ALS, a condition also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Julie had served as the college’s liaison with McDowell Early College, and later, as Director of Enrollment Management. She was a strong student advocate and served for five years as an advisor to MTCC’s Student Government Association. She was a bundle of positive energy and her smile and laughter have been described as infectious.

Emily Alfaro, the 2024 Student Government Association President, was chosen as the recipient of this year’s Julie Buckner Buchanan Presidential Leadership Award. She was selected for the award based on “…her tireless work ethic and her commitment to improving the student experience.” Under Emily’s leadership, MTCC’s SGA has surged in activity, but more importantly, she and her team have brought new ideas to the table and the “vision and energy to implement them.” She has worked with partner agencies like Centro Unido Latino-Americano (CULA) to host Hispanic and LatinX events on campus, including a Hispanic Heritage Festival. In addition, she has led McDowell Tech’s International Club and was recently chosen as a Rotary International Youth Leader.

Fellow students have described being inspired by Emily’s “fire for service.” This fall, she will enroll at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where it is anticipated that her energy, dedication and enthusiasm will serve her well in whatever leadership roles she pursues.

Teacher of the Year—Chris Saxton

Each year, students, faculty and staff nominate instructors for an annual Teacher of the Year Award, also known as Excellence in Teaching Award. Nominees then participate in an interview with the selection committee. The interview focuses on teaching and learning, innovations in teaching, use of technology in the classroom, student success, connections to the college’s strategic plan, mission and vision as well as  service to students and the wider college community. As mentioned, 11 faculty members were nominated for this year’s award: Karen Buchanan, Jennifer Culp, John Dillard, Clay Dowdle, Cassey Epley, Sarah Jornigan, Jill Huffman, Jay Perry, Chris Saxton, Diana Wakefield and Claudia Ward.

Chris Saxton was chosen from among this excellent field of candidates. He has been a member of the McDowell Tech community for more than 16 years. He enrolled in the college’s Carpentry program in 2008 after he purchased a home in Marion and needed help remodeling it. He finished his Diploma in Carpentry in 2009 and began working for local contractors and buying and “flipping” houses. He continued to take classes at the college until the curriculum program was closed in 2017 due to low enrollment. A few months later, Saxton began teaching furniture building one night per week, a position he held for three years. During that time, he kept proposing that the college build tiny houses and restart the Carpentry program.

In 2021, Gateway Wellness Foundation approached the college about starting a Construction Trades Program and offered a one-year grant from Dogwood Health Trust to get the program off the ground. The new program opened in 2022 with Saxton as the new instructor. Under his leadership, the program has grown exponentially and the college recently received a new grant from Dogwood Health Trust in the amount of $576,000, which will allow the college to team up with McDowell High School’s construction programs to build two affordable homes in the Clinchfield area. When completed, both of those homes will be sold and the funds used to sustain new projects and houses, upgrade shop areas, buy new tools, and provide students in Construction Trades classes with books and scholarships.

From 1992 to 2001, Saxton served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps where he provided security services at US Embassies. Chris holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Recreation Management from Appalachian State University (2007), and recently received his Master’s Degree in Outdoor Recreation from NC State University (2024).

Saxton is not only well-known for devoting an immense amount of time and energy to teaching and hands-on instruction, he has also built strong connections with partner agencies, offering excellent field experiences to his students. He is devoted to student success and helps connect graduates with relevant employers in the construction industry. He volunteers many hours each week with Gateway Wellness Foundation, helping the disabled, elderly and economically disadvantaged by upgrading their homes and improving their living conditions. 

Saxton has been described as “…a valuable asset to McDowell Tech, as well as our entire county.” He consistently goes beyond the call of duty, and is a role model for other instructors.