Washington State University salutes alumnus Gordon Davis on his induction to the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for his contribution to the industry and field of meat science.
“WSU and the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) congratulate Gordon on this well-deserved recognition,” said Wendy Powers, the inaugural Cashup Davis Family Dean of CAHNRS. “His dedication to educating students and supporting programs like CAHNRS will benefit the meat industry and agriculture in general for generations to come. I’m honored to adopt Gordon’s constant pursuit of excellence at CAHNRS.”
The Meat Industry Hall of Fame honors leaders and legends in the meat industry whose visions, skills, and dedication have shaped and sustained the industry. Davis joins an elite group that includes Jimmy Dean, Temple Grandin, Ray Kroc, Col. Harland Sanders, and Gary Smith. Smith was a WSU professor and Davis’ meats coach as a student.
The dean of CAHNRS sits as the Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of CAHNRS, which Gordon Davis created and named after his great-grandfather.
A Washington native who grew up in Deer Park, Davis earned bachelor’s degrees in agriculture science and education from WSU. He went on to get his master’s and PhD in meat science from Texas A&M University.
Davis was then hired at Texas Tech University as an assistant professor and coach of the meat judging team. As coach, he led their team to its first meat judging national championship in 1989, the first of the team’s 16 national titles.
“Gordon has, like no other, defined the standard for excellence of those involved in the meat science discipline,” said Blake Foraker, coach of WSU’s meat judging team and a meat scientist in WSU’s Department of Animal Sciences. “He has the uncanny ability to connect with students at any level and so many of his mentees have progressed to be the preeminent leaders of meat science and the meat industry. He is most deserving of this award, and his beginnings at WSU make his career story even more special.”
In 1984, Davis created CEV Multimedia, bringing experts into high schools, originally through VHS tapes, then DVDs and now online. His dedication to educating future generations was one reason for his induction.
“It’s all about the kids,” Davis said. “Since 1969 as a member of the Washington State University meat judging team, then as a meat science graduate student at Texas A&M University, and then my time at Texas Tech University and CEV Multimedia, I have absolutely loved and admired the people I have interacted with.
“From faculty, meat science students and meat industry professionals — who, for the past 54 years, have all brought to the industry a superior work ethic, positive attitude and integrity end-to-end,” he added. “I am truly humbled by this distinct recognition.”
Davis’ success with CEV afforded him the opportunity to give back to the meat industry in several ways. He and his wife, Joyce, have founded 15 endowments across six universities all geared toward the advancement of agriculture.
Through his contributions to meat science, dedication to helping students and commitment to giving back, Davis has shown his commitment to and passion for the meat industry and education earning the honor of induction into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame.
Davis was nominated for the Hall by the American Meat Science Association.
