The Texas Tech University System represented West Texas in President Donald Trump’s Inauguration ceremony by donating resources to one of the biggest galas of the season on Thursday night.
“Texas Tech University system was one of the sponsors for last night’s Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball,” TTU Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing Brett Ashworth. “It’s a ball or gala that’s been held since 1953.”
The Texas Tech system has participated with this gala for many years by donating Raider Red Meats’ beef jerky. This year they were asked to supply all of the beef for this event with Angelo State University.
“That ball, that black tie and boots ball is one of the premier events of the inaugural season,” Ashworth said. “So clearly it’s something that we’re proud to be a part of, it’s a great opportunity to expose people to Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech University system. So it’s a great way to get involved on a national scale.”
“We were actually asked to provide 800 filets for the inaugural celebrations in D.C.,” Raider Red Meats Sales’ Ben Weatherly said. “So Angelo State and Raider Red meats shipped 800 filets to D.C. Also, we shipped a bunch of beef jerky for the event. So we’re really proud that we were a part of it.”
Weatherly said with a full staff, they’re able to cut about 10,000 filets a day. He added they were able to prepare this custom order done in just a few hours.
“We actually cut that in one day,” Weatherly said. “We cut meat every day here. So it’s not a lot. We had everyone pitch in with our student workers and they were able to do it in one morning basically.”
Both Weatherly and Ashworth agreed that this opportunity showcases the agriculture community in West Texas.
“They learn that they’re not just cutting meat, they’re doing it for somebody very important for a traditional, historic event,” Weatherly said. “Just something they can be very proud of. “
“Texas Tech University system was definitely represented last night,” Ashworth said.
