President Barry M. Buxton received a special gift to adorn his new office in the historic Rock House when he began his duties as the fifteenth president of Lees-McRae on June 1.
Bob Jones, artist, retired Appalachian State University professor and brother-in-law to Buxton, hand carved the Lees-McRae College shield out of mahogany to hang above the mantel in President Buxton’s office.
“The whole family is so excited about Barry coming to Lees-McRae,” said Jones. “This shield was a way that I could show him how excited I am!”
Jones said this striking piece took him nearly six weeks to complete.
A talented woodcraftsman and artist, Jones also constructed the desk that President Buxton works from daily in the Rock House. Jones is also a painter and sketch artist, and enjoys retirement and traveling with his wife Anne Buxton Jones. The couple resides in Blowing Rock.