FAMU BAS Announces 2023 Essay & Video Contest Winners

First place winner Chase Lilly and second place winner Genesis Hines.

Chase Lilly, a first-year pre-physical therapy student from Nashville, Tennessee, won first prize. He received an iPad Pro sponsored by Refreshment Services Pepsi.

Genesis Hines, a second-year general health science scholar from Atlanta, Georgia, won second prize. She received a $200 Visa Gift Card sponsored by Ricoh.

The essay and video contest theme, “When I Think About Business and Auxiliary Services, It’s the ___ For Me” challenged students to write a 300–500-word essay describing their favorite product or service provided by Business and Auxiliary Services and its partners. This year, with the added video component, students had the opportunity to not only write their story but also give a visual depiction of their use of the service.

Both winners chose to share their experiences about the popular FAMU Fried Chicken Wednesday.  This beloved tradition is served at FAMU’s dining halls and is one of the biggest serving days of the week. Dining guests enjoy a homestyle meal that includes fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, black-eyed peas, corn muffins, and an assortment of freshly baked desserts. Other health-conscious options are also available.

“Student engagement and feedback are key to our ability to evolve as the students’ needs change,” said Chasity Brown, Director of Business and Auxiliary Services. “Hearing and seeing the firsthand accounts of their experiences with our services lets us know we’re doing the right things to meet their needs.”

Business and Auxiliary Services include dining, meal plans, laundry, bookstore, drink and snack vending, Rattler Card, the Business Center, the University Ticket Office, and commercial solicitation. To participate in the annual contest, students must be enrolled at FAMU, and enrolled in the University Meal Plan program. They must also follow BAS on at least one of its social media platforms.