The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Foundation is now accepting nominations for the college’s 2026 Alumni Awards, recognizing graduates whose professional achievements, community service and contributions reflect the lasting impact of a Â鶹ÊÓƵ education.
Established in 2021, the Alumni Awards honor outstanding alumni who have used the education and opportunities they received at Â鶹ÊÓƵ to achieve excellence in their careers, serve their communities and support the mission of the college.
Individuals who have earned a degree, diploma, certificate or certification from Â鶹ÊÓƵ are eligible for nomination. Nominees should demonstrate distinction in one or more of the following areas:
· Excellence in their chosen profession
· Outstanding service in local, state or national affairs
· Significant contributions in support of Â鶹ÊÓƵ
· A transformational or inspirational impact stemming from their Â鶹ÊÓƵ experience
“As we prepare to celebrate Founders Day and begin the countdown to Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s 60th anniversary, there is no better way to tell the story of this college than through the people whose lives and careers have been shaped here,” said Dr. J.W. Kelley, President of Â鶹ÊÓƵ. “Our alumni carry the impact of Â鶹ÊÓƵ into workplaces, families and communities every day. These awards give us an opportunity to recognize graduates whose achievements and service not only make us proud, but also inspire today’s students to see what is possible in their own lives.”
Nominations must be submitted by Wednesday, September 16, 2026, using the official Â鶹ÊÓƵ Alumni Awards Nomination Form.
Nomination information and the online form are available at:
https://mcdowelltech.edu/alumni-awards-nom
Since they launched, the Alumni Awards have recognized graduates representing a wide range of professions, generations and paths to success.
Among the 2025 Alumni Award recipients was Paula Swepson ’84, a graduate of the college’s Accounting program and Executive Director of West Marion Inc., whose work in community and economic development has helped secure millions of dollars in investment for local programs and job creation. Swepson received the Distinguished Alumnus Award as well as a Career, Technical & Workforce Development Outstanding Divisional Award.
Judge Corey MacKinnon ’02, a graduate of Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Basic Law Enforcement Training program, received a Distinguished Alumni Award. MacKinnon went on to earn his law degree, serve in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and become a District Court Judge. He also serves Â鶹ÊÓƵ as a member of the college’s Board of Trustees.
Other 2025 honorees included Mariana Garcia ’19, a Cosmetology graduate and owner of Mariana Hair Studio Salon who has combined entrepreneurship with community outreach; Heather Buchanan ’02, ’07, a two-time nursing graduate whose career has included nursing, health sciences education and student advising; and Isaac Smith ’21, who transferred from Â鶹ÊÓƵ to NC State University, graduated summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 GPA and has distinguished himself professionally and through community service.
“These alumni demonstrate that there is no single definition of success for a Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduate,” Kelley said. “Their stories span business, healthcare, public service, education and community leadership, but what they share is a commitment to using their talents to make a difference. We know there are many more stories like theirs throughout our community, and we hope people will help us identify those individuals by submitting nominations.”
As the college approaches that milestone, the Alumni Awards offer an opportunity to recognize the individuals whose careers, service and accomplishments help illustrate nearly six decades of Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s impact on students, families, employers and communities.
Award recipients will be recognized during Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Founders Day Celebration on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
For more information about the 2026 Â鶹ÊÓƵ Alumni Awards or the nomination process, contact Madalyn Gaito, Executive Director of Advancement and Special Projects, at 828-652-0630 or msgaito41@go.mcdowelltech.edu.
