(file photo)

Claude McKinney, a major force in the development of Centennial Campus over a 15-year span, was presented the Outstanding Research Park Career Award Friday (Nov. 1) at the national meeting of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP).

McKinney was involved with Centennial Campus from its inception, and served as its coordinator from 1988 until his retirement in 2000. During his tenure, he was instrumental in helping attract many of the corporate and government entities that make Centennial Campus a unique "technopolis."

When he retired, Centennial Campus had grown to more than 1,000 acres featuring 15 major buildings and a population of more than 3,200 faculty, staff, students, and corporate and government employees. Today, Centennial Campus has expanded to more than 1,300 acres, features more than 100 companies, government agencies and NC State units, and hosts more than 5,000 people.

His impact on Centennial Campus is captured in the words on a plaque overlooking Claude E. McKinney Plaza: "Dedicated to Claude E. McKinney … whose vision, leadership and commitment to excellence propelled Centennial Campus from a bold vision to a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research and technology community of international recognition."

McKinney received his award Friday at a ceremony in New Orleans. The AURP is dedicated to promoting and supporting the development and operation of university research parks worldwide.

Posted November 1, 2002

Return to the Bulletin homepage