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.
