About

Students holding up their hands, showing paint with a playground in the background.

About the Big Event

About

3 Students volunteering at Pepper's Ranch

The Big Event is the University of Oklahoma's official day of community service! Volunteers participate in this event to show their appreciation to the surrounding community by completing service projects such as painting, yard work, and visiting with the elderly.

What makes The Big Event so big? Every spring for the last 25 years, over 6,000 students, faculty, and staff have volunteered at over 200 jobsites in a 40-mile radius that encompasses Norman and the Greater Oklahoma City metro area. We have a yearly budget exceeding $80,000 and ladders, shovels, and paintbrushes to supply a small army. This is truly is one BIG service-filled day!

History

The Big Event began at Texas A&M University in 1982 when student leaders saw a need to give back to their surrounding community of Bryan-College Station--a community that continually supported their university. Joe Nussbaum, vice president of the Student Government Association at Texas A&M, took the initiative to make others aware of this need, and, after a passage through the student senate, The Big Event was born. After 40 successful years, The Big Event is now an annual event at more than 60 major universities across the nation.

The program has not only seen tremendous national growth since its beginning, but also tremendous local growth at the University of Oklahoma. OU held its first official The Big Event in the spring of 1999 after it was adopted by the University of Oklahoma Student Association, the official student government of OU. The Big Event has become a prominent and lasting tradition at OU and continues to grow each year.

A student stands in front of ladders at the 2017 Big Event.

People

Meet the Big Event Team

The Big Event team is composed of the Executive Team and the Operations Staff. The Executive Team is selected in September and works year-round to plan The Big Event. The Operations Staff is selected in October and acts as the liaisons to our community jobsites.

Meet the 2025 Chair and Vice Chairs

Chair

Hello, everyone! My name is Kennedy Vice, and I'm a senior from Plano, Texas, currently in Nursing School. I've been a part of The Big Event since my freshman year! I love The Big Event not only for its incredible mission but also for the amazing people who make it all happen. "Community Through Service" perfectly captures how we can give back while also building strong connections within our team. This organization has truly shaped who I am, and I'm beyond excited and honored to represent such an impactful team. I can't wait to see everything we accomplish on campus and in the community this year!

Associate Chair

Hey guys! My name is Taylee Toynbee and I am a Senior from Dallas, Texas majoring in Psychology. I’ve been a part of The Big Event since my sophomore year and it’s the best thing I’ve done in my college career. Our organization is filled with amazing people who are looking to better the Norman and Oklahoma City communities and beyond. I’m so lucky to be able to serve our community with all of the compassionate and hardworking people who make up our organization. I’m excited to see what amazing things we’ll accomplish this year!

Vice Chair of Strategy & Technology

Hey! I’m Lauren Dodge, a junior from Keller, Texas, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Mandarin Chinese. I’ve been part of The Big Event since my freshman year, inspired by my sister’s amazing experience on the Operations Staff and my own passion for service. Volunteering through TBE has shown me the power of students coming together to give back, and it’s been a major part of my growth here at OU. I’m excited to work towards growing The Big Event and creating an even bigger impact on our community this year!

Vice Chair of Public Relations

Hi! My name is Rylie Hostetter, and I am a junior from McKinney, Texas, currently studying Nursing with a minor in Psychology. I got involved with The Big Event my freshman year as a member of our Operations Staff, and I could not be more thankful that I did! Over these past two years, I have gotten to serve alongside others who share similar passions and are some of the most servant-hearted individuals. I am so excited for my third year on The Big Event, and I cannot wait to see the impact this group of people is going to make on the community!

Vice Chair of Campus Engagement

Hi everyone! My name is Maddie Robles, and I’m a junior studying Finance and MIS at OU. I’m so blessed to be serving as the Vice Chair of Campus Engagement for The Big Event. It's challenging to put into words my gratitude for The Big Event because it embodies so much of what makes my experience at OU extraordinary. It's not just a single day of service; it's a transformative journey that has connected me with a community of passionate individuals who share my commitment to making a difference. Through The Big Event, I've formed some of my closest friendships—bonds that feel like family. Being part of something this big and impactful is truly inspiring, and I’m so grateful for the connections, friendships, and experiences I’ve gained along the way. Let’s make this year’s Big Event unforgettable!

Vice Chair of Sponsorship

My name is Carson Rury, and I am a junior Finance student from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I have served in The Big Event the past two years through Operations Staff and Sponsorship. I am grateful to have the opportunity to lead our Sponsorship efforts to contribute to our mission. The Big Event fosters encounter between students and the community, and I have experienced this firsthand. Through large-scale efforts on the day of TBE or the simple conversations with those in our community, The Big Event inspires gratitude and a willingness to serve others. I am excited to continue building community through service on campus and across Norman!

Vice Chair of Jobsite Recruitment

Hello!! My name is Audrey Bickerstaff and I am a junior Art History major from McKinney, Texas. The Big Event has been so important to my time at OU; I joined the organization as a freshman and I met some of my best friends and found so much fulfillment in the work that we do. Getting to work directly with the nonprofits and individuals who need our help in the Norman/OKC area is so important to me and I cannot wait to continue to do so and see The Big Event grow this year!

Vice Chair of Operations

Hi everyone! My name is Tammy Dao, and I’m a junior from Tulsa, OK majoring in Political Science. I joined The Big Event as a freshman looking for campus involvement and received so much more than that. The people in this organization have never failed to uplift me while bringing a sense of purpose to and uniting our large campus. I hope to give others the experience that has defined my college years in the best way and be able to fortify our connections to the community through service!

Vice Chair of Outreach

Hello! My name is Preston Dunlap, and I am a Senior from Edmond, OK, triple-majoring in Management Information Systems, Supply Chain Management, and Economics with a Pre-Law certificate. I have been part of The Big Event since my Sophomore year and have never looked back. The people in this organization are unlike any other on campus, and it shines through into so many things we do. The Big Event has shown me how to look for opportunities to serve in the community and helped me become more connected with the Norman area, all while giving me friends and community. I can’t wait to see what this organization does this year!