FASS Fish Fry raises awareness, funding
by Andy Phipps, posted Sept. 25, 2007
The MU chapter of the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Society held its biannual fish fry Friday, Sept. 21, in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources’ courtyard. The event, which was held during CAFNR Week, is meant to raise funding and awareness for the club.
By 11 a.m. and after the three fryers were running, students and faculty could sample either breaded catfish or tilapia along with baked beans, cole slaw or potato salad for a $5 donation. Even though the club goes on several fishing trips a year, what you get at a FASS fish fry is not caught by the members. In order to meet health department regulations and demand, the club had to turn to wholesale suppliers such as Sam’s Club.
“It’s a lot of work initially, just to get everything together and get it coordinated,” said Jake Norman, FASS president. “Once we get the fryers going and a lot of people showing up, it’s pretty fun.”
The fish fry is the biggest event FASS puts on, making up the bulk of the club’s fundraising.
“The spring semester usually does better; we have it during Lent,” Norman said. “[During] the fall semester we usually get a pretty good turnout as well. It varies.”
But by 11:30 a.m., the club had earned back its initial investment in food and supplies, with the donation basket filled with more portraits of Hamilton and Jackson than Lincoln.
A number of students chose to stop by for an early and out of the ordinary lunch.
Drew Clemens, a forestry student, chowed down on a piece of breaded tilapia before taking off for the rest of a busy day.
“I’m usually around when they have them,” he said. “I don’t always conveniently have $5 for the donation, but it’s always right here.”
And as for the meal itself?
“It’s really good right now; it hits the spot,” Clemens said.
Allison Meyer, a member of FASS for the past three years, brought her friend, Stephanie Redos, along with her for the first time.
“I decided to come along and support the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Society,” Redos said.
Both agreed the meal they had was worth the cost.
“It was really good; I think they did a really good job,” Meyer said.
Redos did have one small complaint.
“They could have had a little more ketchup, but other than that it was great,” she said.
