Vandal Brand Meats
Meat Science & Innovation Center Honoring Ron Richard

The University of Idaho’s current meat science laboratory serves as home to Vandal Brand Meats and the center of the meat science program. This facility — a USDA-inspected plant used for teaching, research and outreach activities — is vital to the program, but has not been updated in decades, creating a tremendous need for modernization.

The University of Idaho asks for your support to build a modern laboratory, named for the late Ron Richard, longtime manager of Vandal Brand Meats who helped build the brand's stellar reputation. Several donors have already stepped forward to help fund the Meat Science and Innovation Center Honoring Ron Richard, including the Idaho Cattle AssociationA new, contemporary laboratory will allow the University of Idaho to serve more students and meet the needs of our stakeholders for years to come.

The Meat Science and Innovation Center Honoring Ron Richard will create:

  • Larger classrooms to accommodate growing student numbers and modern processing technology for teaching purposes.
  • Hands on, experiential learning related to all aspects of harvesting, processing, packaging, storage and consumption of meat products.
  • An environment conducive to cutting-edge research.
  • Separate space for processing fresh and packaged foods in compliance with USDA regulations.
  • Modern infrastructure that keeps workers safe and ensures humane treatment of animals.
  • Easy accessibility with a prominent location on campus.
  • Greater exposure for Vandal Brand Meats retail sales and community education opportunities.
  • A broadly recognized reputation as the leading meat science program in the region.

View the live stream of construction progress for the Meat Science & Innovation Center Honoring Ron Richard.

We appreciate your support of Vandal Brand Meats and the Meat Science and Innovation Center Honoring Ron Richard! 

2
Match
Jim & Tedde Reid College of Business & Economics Scholarship Match
College of Business & Economics is preparing to educate Vandals for the next 100 years! Every gift to the College of Business & Economics Scholarship fund will be matched up to $5,000 thanks to Jim & Tedde Reid!
$3,000
John Nalivka- Meat Science & Innovation Center Honoring Ron Richard
This just in! Thanks to John Nalivka '76, we’re excited to announce an additional challenge for the Meat Science & Innovation Center Honoring Ron Richard! If 5 additional donors make a gift, $3,000 will be unlocked!
$5 Goal
Starts in
$500
Early Bird Challenge
Whoever makes the first donation on April 1 will earn an additional bonus $500 to the fund of their choice!
1 Gift Goal
Starts in
$1,889
The 1889 Challenge
To honor the year University of Idaho was founded the 1,889 gift received will earn an additional $1,889 to the fund of their choice!
1,889 Gift Goal
Starts in
Leaderboard
Kick Off Challenge
The top three funds that receive the most gifts in the first 10 hours on April 1st will unlock an additional $1,000 donation!
Kick Off Challenge (165)
Event
Find Joe Vandal
There are 15 hidden Joe Vandals around campus. If you find one please bring it to the ASUI Lounge in the Idaho Student Union Building. You get to designate $100 to the fund of your choice.
Event
Sip & Select Challenge
We want to give our colleges some Vandal Giving Day love! Enter the Vandal Giving Day College Challenge. The college with the most votes at the Sip Station on Campus earns $250 for their designated fund. Stop by with your family and friends to support your college and the University of Idaho!
Event
Dean of Students Ambassador Challenge
Blaine Eckles, Dean of Students has challenged all staff in Student Affairs to support Vandal Giving Day as Ambassadors. The Ambassador who brings in the most gift will be able to add a $500 bonus to the fund of their choice!
$2,500
Wayne & Peggy Thiessen- Meat Science & Innovation Center Honoring Ron Richard
This Vandal Giving Day, we’re excited to announce a $10,000 challenge for the Meat Science & Innovation Center, honoring the legacy of Ron Richard! For every 7 donors, $2,500 will be unlocked in support of cutting-edge research, education, and innovation in meat science! Thank you to Wayne '62 & Peggy '65 Thiessen for their commitment to the Vandals!
$7 Goal
Starts in
$2,500
John Hoyne New Vandal Donor Challenge
This Vandal Giving Day, we’re calling on 15 new donors to step up! When 15 new donors give, a $2,500 challenge gift will be unlocked, helping provide food and essential resources to students in need. Thank you to alumnus John Hoyne '96 for his support.
15 Gift Goal
Starts in
$500
Faculty & Staff Challenge
The 250th gift from a faculty/staff member will win a $750 bonus for the fund of their choice!
250 Gift Goal
Starts in
$5,000
Foundation Participation Challenge
Every gift counts—and now, every 500 gifts unlocks an additional $5,000, up to $25,000 in bonus funds! The more Vandals who give, the more we unlock to support students, programs, and initiatives across the University of Idaho.
500 Gift Goal
Starts in
Event
Procrastinator Award
The last gift to Vandal Giving Day receives an additional $500 bonus to the fund of their choice.
Event
Vandal Trivia
5 Trivia Questions on "X" and the first person to answer correctly gets $100 to the fund of their choice. Be sure to follow @UIdahoAlumni
Event
Payroll Deduction Bonus Challenge
Set up a new payroll deduction on April 1 or 2, and you could win a $250 bonus! Two lucky employees will be randomly selected, so start giving and get rewarded for your Vandal pride!
Share on social using #VandalsGive
Rank State Gifts
1 NONE 0
1 AA 0
1 AE 0
Don't forget to share!

Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at vandalsgive@uidaho.edu.