Ray Wilkinson Receives the Old North State Award

Ray Wilkinson

Ray Wilkinson was presented with the Old North State Award by Staci Meyer, Chief Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 at a ceremony at the State Capital.

Ray, a pioneer among farm broadcasters, was one of the first farm broadcasters to develop multi-state, commodity-oriented radio networks and he anchored daily farm news reports on WRAL-TV. He served in many leadership positions in the state in the fields of agriculture education and history.

Ray Wilkinson and wife, Emmylou, await the awards presentation.

Staci Meyer, Chief Deputy Secretary of the Department of Cultural Resources reads Ray Wilkinson's accomplishments to NC.

Family, friends and former co-workers look on as Ray Wilkinson the receives Old North State Award.

Ray's other honors include:

• "Oscar in Agriculture" for Radio and Television in 1965
• "Farm Broadcaster of the Year" by the National Association of Farm Broadcasters in 1975
• "Agricultural Communicator of the Year" by the National AgriMarketing Association in 1991
• "NCSA Friend of Agriculture Award" in 1990
• "Governor's Award for Service to Agriculture" in 1990
• Inducted into the North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1990
• Inducted into the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1996

Ray retired from his position of Vice President/General Manager of Capitol Broadcasting Company's Tobacco Radio Network in 1995.

The Old North State Award, established by Governor Mike Easley, is presented to outstanding North Carolinians who have a proven record of exemplary service and commitment to the state and their community. Ray was the 17th recipient of the award.