Ray McKinnie, Ph.D.
McKinnie is a recipient of the 2025 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Outstanding Alumni Award, presented each year to recognize the achievements of former CALS graduates in their careers and communities. McKinnie is the award winner for the Department of Animal Science. According to NCSU’s web page, the award “represents the fulfillment of the promise of the land-grant mission in academics, research and Extension.”
McKinnie earned his Ph.D. in Animal Science from NCSU in 1987, having earned his master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 1978 and his bachelor’s degree from N.C. A&T In 1976, both In animal science.
“I’m a fortunate person. I went to three of the greatest land-grant universities in the country,” McKinnie said. “It’s a wonderful feeling to be recognized by your alma mater. It signifies that hard work and dedication to excellence has paid off, that they recognize the work achievements and accomplishments that you’ve made in your career. “
McKinnie’s career began as an assistant agricultural Extension agent based in his home county, Wayne County, where he worked with W.G Simmons, “one of the best livestock agents in the state,” McKinnie said. After 11 months, he transitioned back to N.C A&T in 1980 to reboot Extension’s livestock program.
After returning to NCSU to finish his Ph.D., McKinnie came back to N.C. A&T as an Extension animal science specialist and agricultural researcher, a position he held In various forms until 1999, when he transitioned into administration and remained until 2015.He moved to Virginia State University, in 2015, where he served as dean and Extension administrator of the College of Agriculture for seven years.
He returned to N.C. A&T to lead the Extension program in 2023.
The connections that he had formed at both universities facilitated smooth working relationships in carrying out their shared missions of teaching, research and outreach, McKinnie said.
“They knew me, I knew them, and so anything I ever asked of them in terms of collaboration and involvement, they were willing to consider,” he said.
One of the first collaborations he initiated was a bull loan program for the University Farm’s herd, which continues today.
McKinnie was also instrumental in establishing the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) at Cherry Research Farm in Goldsboro, a joint N.C. A&T and NCSU research and teaching farm; establishing the outdoor swine program at N.C. A&T; and oversaw the construction of many of the buildings at the University farm, including the beef barn, poultry unit, dairy unit, on-farm Extension building, small ruminants building, and farm equipment sheds. McKinnie supervised various aspects of the college’s facilities program from 1988 to 2015.
His professional service includes chairing the National Extension Leadership Development (NELD) Advisory Committee, National Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP), and chairing the Administrative Heads Section (AHS) of APLU’s Board of Agricultural Assembly.
“Find passion in your work and strive every day for excellence,” said McKinnie. “Excellence is intentional, not accidental, but if you have the right mix of passion and excellence, the world can be your oyster.”
