Bill Jones Click here to view the presentation (Flash Viewer Required) The Intercollegiate Meat Judging Meritorious Service Award was established in 1993 to recognize outstanding contributions or service to the Intercollegiate Meat Judging Program. This year’s Intercollegiate Meat Judging Meritorious Service Award is presented to Dr. William R. Jones from Auburn University. |
|
Dr. Bill Jones has worked his entire career to support Meat Judging programs. His experiences with a wide range of meat science and processing areas have allowed him to be an extremely effective and engaged proponent of meat judging. Bill has developed many skills over his career as a meat scientist, but resourcefulness may be his best trait—his ability to produce all known specification defects from a single lamb carcass is legendary.
Looking back, Bill served in the US Navy from 1959 to 1962. Following his discharge, he worked one year with Pan-American Airways, then trekked to Starkville where he received his bachelor's degree in 1967 from Mississippi State University.
Bill graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with his master's in 1970 and Ph.D. in 1972. Both degrees were in meat science.
In 1972, Bill joined the animal science faculty at Pennsylvania State University as an assistant professor of animal science Extension. In August 1975, he joined the faculty at Auburn University as Extension meat science specialist, and in 1982 was granted a joint teaching appointment in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences. He has served as faculty advisor for the meat lab and is responsible for the Auburn University judging and evaluation teams and the state 4-H meat judging team.
Bill never let the geographic location of Auburn University hinder the judging program or its members. Creative procurement of raw materials and aggressive fund raising for team expenses provided students a solid, competitive program and engaging experiences.
His greatest legacy to the program is the students he has guided over the past 30 years. His first contact with many students was through their early experience of state 4-H meat judging, and many later went on to pursue degrees at Auburn University. Members of his judging teams pursued advanced degrees and many have pursued career paths in academics, government and industry.
One of his former students wrote: “I can unequivocally say that my meat judging experience at Auburn has had the most dramatic impact on my approach to my job responsibilities. I can proudly say that Dr. Jones had a large part in laying that foundation for me to be successful in my job, as well as in my life.”
Bill has done a yeoman’s job on behalf of the organization’s membership and the Intercollegiate Meat Coaches Association. Bill was an AMSA director from 1984-85 and served on several RMC planning committees. He has served in many capacities for the coaches association, including president, regional director and chair of the southeastern contest.
Bill has received the extension-industry award and the Signal Service award from AMSA.
Let’s congratulate Bill Jones, this year’s winner of the AMSA Intercollegiate Meat Judging Meritorious Service Award.