Ignite BBN Connects Students On Campus

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 4, 2014) – Students at the University of Kentucky love to chant “We Are UK” in the stands at Rupp Arena, but one student decided it was time to bring this type of camaraderie to other aspects of student life.  Avis Sampson, a senior majoring in communication and media arts and studies in the College of Communication and Information, brought together a group of her friends and started Ignite BBN. The organization, which came on campus this semester, focuses on instilling a spirit of unity between UK’s students.

Ignite BBN works to bring students together through various activities in order to create a sense of student community. Sampson and her friends spent the beginning of the semester recruiting people to join the organization and showing its face on campus at events like SAB’s Campus Ruckus and the Homecoming Coalition’s Kitty Karnival. Now at 12 members, they decided it was time to put on some events of their own.

To begin, they wanted to get more involved by serving the community. Ignite BBN is hosting a toy drive for NECCO, an organization that positively affects the lives of youth and foster families. Toys can be dropped off in the Student Center of UK’s campus in front of The Cats Den from noon to 2 p.m. through the Dec. 5.

Sampson says the group is very excited and will be wrapping the presents and giving them to the children.

“As an organization, there is no excuse. We need to get involved with this kind of thing,” Sampson said.

Ignite BBN also plans to host an Artist Showcase in the coming spring semester. Students are encouraged to come to the event and enjoy some music together. Some of the performers will participate in a DJ competition, including local DJ WarrenPeace.

The group is looking for more artists to participate in the event Jan. 30 at Memorial Hall. An informational meeting will take place at 7 p.m. today, Dec. 4, in Room 111 of the Student Center.

Ignite BBN is in the process of planning educational and professional events, as well. These include a study abroad information panel and a networking day. Regardless of the event, Ignite BBN wants to bring students together.

For more information about Ignite BBN, visit them on Twitter at @ignitebbn, Instagram and Facebook, or contact them at ignitebbn@gmail.com.