FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 7, 2006
CONTACT: Norman Martin, norman.martin@ttu.edu, e-mail
(806) 742-4108
LUBBOCK -- Texas Tech University’s meat science laboratory building was named in honor
of Gordon W. Davis, a Lubbock businessman and leader in the development of multimedia
textbooks.
Davis, a former Tech professor, earlier this year created a $500,000 Gordon W. Davis
Meat Science Enhancement Endowment. Funds generated by the endowment will maintain
facility equipment and support teaching, outreach and research activities.
“It’s all about the kids,” Davis said. “I support Texas Tech University because of
the students, particularly the meat science association students. In the past 25 years
they have exemplified the pursuit of excellence to a degree that I have not witnessed
at any other institution.”
Marvin Cepica, dean of Texas Tech’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources,
made the announcement Friday (April 7) during a ceremony at the building that will
bear Davis’ name.
Tech’s Meat Science Laboratory is a state-of-the-art facility for the study of meat
science and muscle biology, said Markus Miller, who holds the San Antonio Livestock
Show Distinguished Chair in Meat Science at Texas Tech. Located adjacent to the university’s
new $17 million Animal and Food Sciences building, the 25,000 square-foot structure
includes classrooms, laboratories, coolers, processing areas and a smokehouse.
In a separate show of support, Davis recently donated an additional $500,000 to the
university to create the Gordon W. Davis Endowed Chair, a new faculty position in
Tech’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences. This gift was matched by the Regents’
Faculty Endowment Program. Funds generated by the $1 million 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.
“I’m very pleased to be involved in the naming of this building in honor of one of
this university’s truly great supporters,” Cepica said. “Gordon Davis’ life exemplifies
the college’s values of education, community and family.”
Today, Davis serves as CEO and founder of CEV Multimedia, which produces multimedia
textbooks for curriculums in seven subject areas, including agriculture, business,
biology, family and consumer sciences, marketing, trade and industry and careers.
Prior to founding CEV in 1984, Davis worked in research, teaching, and public service
in the area of meat science and muscle biology. During his 21-year teaching career,
he was a high school agricultural science teacher, Texas A&M University instructor,
assistant professor at the University of Tennessee, and an associate professor in
the Animal Science Department at Texas Tech.
“Gordon Davis has a visionary talent that allows him to see the marriage of education
and new technologies,” Cepica said. “He has an unyielding entrepreneurial spirit,
and we certainly appreciate his leadership and support.”
-30-
Contact: Scott Cooksey, director of development and external relations, (806) 742-2802;
scott.cooksey@ttu.edu