“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.”
Growing up, Mason Wilke said he did not get much exposure to the agriculture industry, except for when he would visit his grandfather's ranch in Montana. The senior pre-veterinary student from Fulshear, Texas, said having pets around was a plus, but being around the ranch sparked an interest and passion.
“Everytime we go out there, it was so much fun,” Wilke said. “I didn’t get to do too much agriculture wise, but I always wanted to be a veterinarian.”
Wilke said living in Fulshear, Texas, was like a concrete jungle. Moving to Illinois in middle school gave him a little more of a background in the industry; but it was also a culture shock.
“I moved to a middle school that had a cornfield right across the street,” Wilke said. “I was like ‘we’re in agriculture now’.”
During Wilke’s junior year of high school, he said he moved back to Texas to start the process of working towards his dream of becoming a veterinarian, and exploring veterinarian clinics to get a head start on clinical hours.
“As soon as I tried to (apply to vet clinics) COVID hit, and no clinics were available to volunteer at or do anything at,” Wilke said.
Because of his sister’s influence on the decision to come to Texas Tech University, Wilke said he had some catching up to do when he came to Lubbock, and starting the Tech Volunteer Group was not exactly a part of his plan.
“I was at a pre-vet student meeting and Wendy Scott pretty much told everyone to get volunteering,” he said. “As soon as she said that, I was like ‘alright we’re just going to start a club or group’.”
Wilke’s mission behind the Tech Volunteer Group is to put on volunteering events to help students fill volunteer hours for vet school applications, along with helping the community.
“What I usually do is make a flyer and post it in our group me, and hopefully spread the word to get people to help out,” Wilke said.
With graduation nearing in May and plans of attending Texas A&M University Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Wilke will be handing the reins of the Tech Volunteer Group to someone new.
“It’s been a lot of fun, because there were some opportunities I never thought we could have,” he said.
Aside from opportunities, Wilke said Texas Tech has played a tremendous role in helping prepare him for life beyond his undergraduate degree.
“Being able to do the animal science labs and seeing carcasses, and pretty much everything that the animal industry has to offer, really helped me solidify my dreams of becoming a veterinarian,” Wilke said.
Wilke also said the professors within the Department of Animal & Food Sciences have pushed him to do his best, but also to not sweat the small stuff.
“I like a good challenge,” he said, “and the first thing Dr. Jackson said in ANSC 1401 was that only about 10% of us were going to make it to vet school. I thought to myself, that’s a challenge, and that’s what sparked me to keep going.”
What does Branding Excellence mean to you?: “Helping the community whenever you can, and realizing that one person can make the biggest difference for everyone else around them.”