Dr. McNair was the recipient of three honorary doctorates; a score of fellowships and commendations; an accomplished saxophonist; and held a sixth degree black belt in karate. He was married to the former Cheryl Moore and the father of two children, Reginald Ervin and Joy Cheray.

After his death, members of Congress provided funding for the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccaulaureate Achievement Program to encourage ethnic minorities, women and other underrepresented groups to pursue graduate school opportunieis, in particular doctoral studies. It is one of the seven (7) federally funded TRIO programs, which provides direct services to low income and/or first-generation college students. These programs are designed to help students overcome class, social, and cultural barriers to higher education.

During the academic year of 1989, the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program had its humble beginning with fourteen projects. Ten years leter, there were one hundred seventy-seven projects located in 43 of the 50 states (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico).