FSU Student Life: Big Events, Fashion Shows, and Concert Updates
Hello Bulldogs! Welcome to this episode of FSU Student Life, where we’re diving into some exciting events happening within the Ferris State community. In this episode, we’ll be covering The Big Event, The YBBW (Young Beautiful Black Women) fashion show, and an update on the Spring Concert, which unfortunately has been postponed. Our host, Nick Campau, is joined by several guests who are involved in organizing these events, giving us the latest details and updates.
Written by Connor Kovacik, Connor Penn, and Jessica Miller
The Big Event: A Day of Giving Back
We start off by speaking with Stephen Bender, the President of Student Government, who gives us the lowdown on The Big Event, scheduled for April 12th at 9 AM. Stephen reflects on past events and shares his excitement about bringing The Big Event back to both the Ferris and Big Rapids communities. This event is all about giving back, as students pitch in to help out with various tasks around the area. Stephen explains how the event works—local residents reach out to Student Government with tasks, and students are then assigned jobs to assist with. It’s an opportunity for students to show kindness and make a positive impact. Stephen is confident that this will be the best Big Event yet, so be sure to sign up and get involved! Here’s the link to sign up and participate.
YBBW Fashion Show: A Celebration of Diversity
Next, we walk down the runway with Keymoni McKinney, President of Beautiful Black Women (YBBW). Keymoni is incredibly passionate about this fashion show and is determined to make it the best one yet. She shares her journey with YBBW, starting in 2022, and discusses the theme for this year’s show: The Different Cultures of Music. Keymoni talks about the process of choosing themes for the event and reminisces about past ones. She emphasizes that anyone can participate—whether you’re shopping for a new outfit or just finding something in your closet, all are welcome to walk down the runway. She can’t wait to see what the students come up with and encourages everyone to join in the fun.
Spring Concert Update: A Change of Plans
Moving on, we chat with David Carrier, Vice President of Internal Affairs for Entertainment Unlimited, to get an update on the Spring Concert. Unfortunately, the headliner, NLE Choppa, has had to postpone his performance. David explains the process behind this decision, including how he and Ben Avery communicated the news to the Ferris State community. Despite the setback, David reassures everyone that Ferris won’t lose any money, as they only pay the artist after the concert takes place. Any funds that were allocated for the concert will be redirected to another event in the future.
Nick and David also dive into how the acts for the Spring Concert are chosen. David walks us through the extensive process, which starts as early as the fall. It’s a lot of work, but the goal is to bring an exciting and top-notch performance to Ferris. Unfortunately, with NLE Choppa’s postponement, the team will have to adjust, but David remains optimistic about future events.
How to Get Involved on Campus
In addition to the event updates, our guests share how you can get involved with their respective organizations. If you’re interested in Entertainment Unlimited, you can reach out via Instagram, the Ferris 360 page, or visit them in Room 217 at the Eisler Center on Mondays at 5:00 PM. For Student Government, just attend a meeting (held at 6:30 PM in the Founders Room on Tuesdays). After attending two meetings, you’ll be an official member! If you want to join YBBW, talk to any current members and keep an eye out for application details. Keep in mind that joining YBBW requires a bit more effort, so make sure to look out for information in the fall.
Behind the Scenes: The Student Government and EU Experience
Stephen also shares what motivated him to run for Student Government and his experience campaigning, which ended in a perfect tie before he ultimately won. He talks about the responsibilities he handles, from meetings with Deans and President Pink to academic senate discussions, all while working to “breathe life into campus” by giving back to the community.
David then walks us through his typical week with Entertainment Unlimited, which includes 2-6 hours of work each week, including 2-4 meetings. He details the extensive planning that goes into each event, from organizing logistics to setting up and tearing down. Meanwhile, Keymoni gives us a peek into her week with YBBW, which requires balancing her everyday life while staying actively involved in meetings and event planning.
Wrapping Up
That wraps up this episode of FSU Student Life! We hope you enjoyed hearing about all the exciting events coming to Ferris State, and we encourage you to stay connected with these amazing organizations. Whether you’re volunteering for The Big Event, walking the runway with YBBW, or attending an Entertainment Unlimited event, there are plenty of ways to get involved and make your time at Ferris truly unforgettable.
Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to stay engaged with the vibrant Ferris State community!