Jona McKee, former professor of military science at Virginia State University, passed away on June 22. He was 97 years old.
Before his career in academia, McKee served with distinction as a combat leader in World War II. He later served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, ultimately rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
A two-time graduate of Virginia State University, McKee was the first alumnus to serve as a professor of military science. During his tenure, he more than doubled the military science program’s enrollment, commissioned more than 260 officers, and raised over $1 million for various programs across the university. He was also a dedicated advocate for the HBCU’s athletic programs. He founded both the VSU Athletic Boosters Club and the VSU Athletic Hall of Fame and served as president of both organizations for several decades.
In honor of his contributions to the university, Virginia State awarded McKee an honorary doctorate during the spring 2021 commencement ceremony. That fall, a classroom in the HBCU’s military science building was named in his honor.
