For as long as there’s been an Independent Processor magazine, there has been a Cordray’s Corner. Dr. Joe Cordray, meat extension specialist at Iowa State University, has contributed an article to almost every issue of the magazine since the day we first went to press. While, thankfully, Dr. Cordray will remain a contributor to IP, he has announced his retirement from Iowa State after more than 50 years in the meat industry.
A large group of friends, colleagues, processors and former students gathered in Ames, Iowa, on Saturday, November 2, to honor Dr. Cordray with a dinner and reception. The master of ceremonies was Dr. Maynard Hogberg, Emeritus Professor and Chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State. Throughout the night, guest speakers thanked Dr. Cordray for his service, told stories about his career, and tried to tell the same bad jokes that were frequently told at the Iowa State short courses that Dr. Cordray ran. Although no one can tell a bad joke quite as well as Dr. Cordray can.