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. We are excited to celebrate the 25th annual The Big Event in 2024!

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 2023 Chair and Vice Chairs

Chair

Hey y’all! My name is Stevi Wampler and I am a senior from Norman, Oklahoma majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I’ve been a part of The Big Event since Freshman year and have loved every minute of it. This organization has truly shown me why having a heart for service is so necessary to have a loving, respectful, and fun community. The Big Event is filled with people who love serving others and who have impacted my life for the better. I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful organization and watch it expand its impact on our campus and in our community this year.

Associate Chair

Hi! My name is Chloe Ngo (she/her), and I am a senior Public Health major from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Joining The Big Event my freshman year has been the best decision of my college experience. Although our biggest impact is through one day of service, I have also learned to view service as a mindset and bring our mission into my everyday life. Our organization is filled with individuals that help me channel the energy of The Big Event into everything that I do and inspire me to be a better person every day!

Vice Chair of Database

Hey! I’m Nick Pranske from Coppell, Texas and I am a senior Management Information Systems (BBA/MS-MIT) major. I joined The Big Event as a sophomore because I realized the impact that OU could have on the community around it. I love the idea of going out and not only providing service to the surrounding area, but also building community with people inside and outside of the OU population. I am so excited to be a part of this organization for a third go-around and organize the biggest and best TBE yet!

Vice Chair of Public Relations

Hi everyone! My name is Payley Randels (she/her) and I am a Junior studying Computer Science from Blanchard, Oklahoma. From the second I joined The Big Event I was overwhelmed with kindness and openness from the people within the organization. Watching the members of The Big Event and the volunteers selflessly give back to the community is something truly special. I am so ecstatic to see all the growth and positive impacts that will happen this year!

Vice Chair of Campus Engagement

Hi! My name is Emily Shaw (she/her) and I am a senior from Frisco, Texas pursuing a degree in Computer Science. From the moment I became a part of the Big Event during my freshman year, I've wholeheartedly embraced its mission. The Big Event holds a very special place in my heart, thanks to the amazing community I have found within this organization. I cannot wait to see this year's positive changes we create through the collective efforts of the Big Event!

Vice Chair of Sponsorship

Hey! My name is Nick Lamis and I am a senior from Fort Worth, Texas double majoring in Finance and Supply Chain Management. I have gotten to be a part of The Big Event every year in college and have grown to love it more and more each year! The Big Event has given me the opportunity to make new friendships aligned for a greater good. This organization is truly made up of amazing people and I cannot wait to run it up again! I am thankful for what this organization has given to me, and look forward to giving back and better serving the community.

Vice Chair of Jobsite Recruitment

Hey! My name is Kennedy Vice (she/her), and I am a Junior Nursing Major from Dallas! Being a part of this organization for the past 2 years has been a highlight of my college experience. TBE has shown me the true meaning of service, and introduced me to so many people who share a similar passion. I am so excited to continue giving back to the Norman/OKC community in a new way this year and watch the big event continue to grow!

Vice Chair of Operations

Hi y’all! My name is Emiline Henderson and I am a senior from Oklahoma City majoring in Community Health. Over these past few years I have seen the heart of The Big Event emerge: genuine care for others. All of our members and volunteers share the humility that is required to pour oneself into hard work, and a willingness to open their hearts for a stranger. To the university, TBE brings the year-round mindset of helping others before oneself and I am beyond excited for everything this year has in store!

Vice Chair of Outreach

Hi! My name is Shannon Mathers, and I am a senior studying Mechanical Engineering from Bossier City, Louisiana. The Big Event is my favorite organization on campus because it has given me purpose and friendship through volunteerism. It is more than one day of community service in Oklahoma; The Big Event reaches internationally, offers tool rentals, and connects students with volunteer opportunities throughout the year. With the work of an amazing leadership team, I am eager to see The Big Event expand its impact and empower others to serve their community. I cannot imagine a better legacy than serving my college town and encouraging others to do the same.