McNeal Honored with Friday Medal

NC State honored Dr. Bill McNeal with the Friday Medal for contributions to education.

McNeal, who was named National Superintendent of the Year in 2004, has more than 30 years of experience in Wake County as a middle school teacher, principal and administrator.

As Wake County superintendent, he focused on the goal of having 95 percent of third- and eighth-grade students at or above grade level, helping narrow the achievement gap while challenging advanced students. He later served as executive director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, working to strengthen school and district leadership.

McNeal played an integral role in North Carolina’s Race to the Top proposal, traveling to Washington, D.C., to speak on the state’s behalf. He serves NC State as a member of the College of Education Advisory Board and the National Advisory Board of the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation.

The Friday Medal is named for William Friday, president emeritus of the University of North Carolina system.