Roger Mandigo, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor of animal science, will join 11 legendary names of the North American meat industry when he is inducted to the Meat Industry Hall of Fame in October.
Mandigo, a meat scientist, is internationally known for his discoveries in meat restructuring as well as other meat research. Among other things, his findings have helped the meat processing industry better use lower-value meat parts to produce new, lower fat, flavorful products.
"It is an extreme honor and a real surprise," Mandigo said. "The people I am being honored with have all had major impacts to the meat industry."
Mandigo joins a list of all-star executives, scientists, innovators and association leaders from all sectors of the industry, said Larry Berger, department head of animal science.
"We have a leading scholar in the processed meats area who has worked with and has been a part of meat processing in Nebraska to help the industry become more productive and efficient," Berger said. "It is a win-win for the department and the meat processors of Nebraska."
"Something like this doesn't happen to many people," said Mandigo, adding he feels humbled that he was chosen when so many others in the industry are qualified for this honor as well.
Mandigo will join 11 others in the hall of fame. All will be formally honored during a "who's who" of the industry. Other inductees include: Richard Bond, CEO, president and director, Tyson Foods Inc.; Ralph Cator, founder, Cardinal Meat Specialists Limited; William D. Farr, Farr Feeders (deceased); Joel Johnson, chairman, president and CEO, Hormel Foods Corporation; H. Kenneth Johnson, vice president- Meat Science, National Live Stock and Meat Board and executive director, National Cattlemen's Beef Association; Ray Kroc, founder and chairman, McDonald's Corporation (deceased); Robert Rust, professor emeritus, animal science, Iowa State University; Col. Harland Sanders, founder, Kentucky Fried Chicken (deceased); Jeff W. Savell, regents professor and E.M. "Manny" Rosenthal chairholder in animal science, Texas A&M University; Deven Scott, vice president-member services, American Meat Institute and executive vice president, North American Meat Processors Association and Dave Thomas, founder, CEO, Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers (deceased).
The new members were chosen from a list of nominees by the hall's Board of Trustees and the members of last year's inaugural class.
The induction ceremony will be Oct. 30 at the Fairmont Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Formed in 2008, the Meat Industry Hall of Fame is the permanent repository for the accomplishments of the meat, poultry and livestock industries' leading figures and events.
-- Sandi Alswager Karstens, IANR News
More details at: http://go.unl.edu/o2n