Development
Beefy Donation Adds Muscle to Research and Recruitment
Recruitment, research and outreach in Texas Tech’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences will benefit from two new endowments, totaling $1.5 million, created by former animal science associate professor Gordon W. Davis.
Davis’ $1 million gift, matched with $500,000 from the Regents Faculty Endowment Program, is the largest donation of its type received by the department, says department chair Dr. Kevin Pond.
“This will take our department from being a regional leader in meat science and muscle biology to being the national leader in these areas,” says Pond, who adds the money will help the department keep its facilities on the cutting edge.
The $1 million Gordon W. Davis Endowed Chair creates a new faculty position within the Department of Animal and Food Sciences. Funds generated by the endowment will be used to recruit a faculty member with nationally recognized skills in meat science and muscle biology. Additionally, the funds will help support the chair holder’s teaching, research and outreach programs in these areas.
Additionally, the $500,000 Gordon W. Davis Meat Science Enhancement Endowment will provide support to the department’s Meat Science Laboratory. Funds generated by the endowment will maintain facility equipment and support teaching, outreach and research activities.
The two endowments were created through Davis’ gift and a $500,000 matching donation from the Regents Faculty Endowment Program. Gifts of $500,000 are matched with existing university funds to create named chairs. The program is part of the university’s goal of recruiting and retaining quality faculty members.
In recognition of his generosity and impact on students, the facility’s name will be changed to the Gordon W. Davis Meat Science Laboratory.
Davis, the son of Aubrey and Gladys Davis from Deer Park, Wash., is, President/CEO and founder of CEV Multimedia, Ltd., which produces multimedia textbooks for curriculums in seven subject areas – agriculture, business, biology, family & consumer sciences, marketing, trade & industry and careers.
Prior to founding CEV in 1984, Davis excelled in research, teaching, and public service in the area of meat science and muscle biology. As a research scientist, he conducted or directed 26 beef, pork and other research projects.
During his 21-year teaching career, he was a high school agricultural science teacher, an instructor at Texas A&M University, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, and an associate professor in the Animal Science Department at Texas Tech University.
In 1984, 1996, and 1997, he co-founded three meat science related endowments administered in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University. Since the inception of the endowments, about 300 Texas Tech University students have received scholarships.
Davis was a member of the 1964 “Washington State Dairy Family of the Year.” He graduated from Deer Park High School in 1964 and Washington State University in 1968. In making the gift, Davis said he would like to give thanks to the Washington State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, his parents and family for their support.
-- Cory Chandler