“Branding Excellence” is a series highlighting students and faculty who perform at a high level of professionalism, are forward-thinking individuals, and always have the willingness to learn more. The series name is derived from the saying “Pursuing Excellence” which means setting ambitious goals and working tirelessly to achieve them, consistently performing at your best, bettering yourself and those around you, and staying resilient in the face of challenges. The Department of Animal & Food Sciences is dedicated to excellence in every aspect of its faculty, staff and students. The department wants to wear the “brand” of success as they address today’s challenges and create a better future for our world.
Started 50 years ago, Raider Red Meats is known for supporting the animal and meat science programs at Texas Tech, along with nourishing students’ knowledge, research and meat judging. The program initially aimed to cover teaching costs for the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, but is now one of the most popular meat suppliers in Lubbock.
Raider Red Meats was not scaled to a fully functioning meat supplier until 2008, but now employs over 50 students who work amongst professionals in the production, sales, and logistics departments of the business. Students help run the restaurant, store, and lab on campus; making them extremely marketable for employment upon graduation.
“We exist to give students real world experience, and then to support programs and allow for more experience in real world learning,” said Kiersten Atkinson, sales manager for Raider Red Meats.
Raider Red Meats’ mission and selling point before it was even started was to produce the best student on the planet, and meat science was the number one reason the department needed it, according to Mark Miller, Professor in Meat Science, Food Processing & Preservation and San Antonio Livestock Exposition Endowed Chair in Meat Science.
Texas Tech's Meat Judging Team is able to access the lab for practice and also welcomes other junior colleges, high schools, and 4-H programs to use their materials and facilities.
“You won’t find another university that teaches at the level we do, because of the access to facilities that we have,” Miller said.
Atkinson said their profits go to fund scholarships and also contribute new equipment to maintain the meat lab that will help give students further education.
“We want to make sure that we’re giving back to the community that gives to us,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson said that Raider Red Meats has been popular in Lubbock for a while now but is starting to become more than just a Lubbock thing. Fortunately, people can shop from all over the United States, thanks to the online store.
“It’s been a labor of love for a lot of people, and there’s a lot of us that are very passionate about it,” Atkinson said.
Throughout the years, Raider Red Meats has grown significantly, but ultimately their mission still remains the same; to produce high quality students (and meat!).
“There’s no doubt that the key for Raider Red Meats is the integrity, the honor and unselfishness,” Miller said.
What does Branding Excellence mean to you? “Our biggest product that we want to produce is a high-quality student that has a great work ethic and can go out there and make a difference in whatever industry they decide to go in. We really feel like giving them that real world experience helps brand an excellent student that ties back to Raider Red Meats.”
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