In April 2023, Honors students took part in this year’s Big Event, an annual event where University of Oklahoma students, faculty, and staff come together and volunteer in community projects in Norman and surrounding areas. Big Event has become the largest day of community service in the state of Oklahoma
Honors organizations such as the Honors Student Association and the Honors Student Diversity Council came together to participate in the event. One of the main organizers was senior Subah Chowdhury, who also helped organize the Little Event which took place during the Fall semester. Regarding the organization process, Chowdhury says, “The whole process was a big learning curve, but the key was communication and preparing early. I communicated the idea in our Honors Leaders’ group chat, and everyone was on board. Both service days were a success and brought our members and student execs closer together.” The group of 20+ students spent their Saturday at ABLE Community Based Services in Norman. There they added flower beds, planted flowers, and prepared other areas for the spring season.
The call to volunteer with the Honors College went out to all Honors. This allowed students an opportunity to dive headfirst into the community aspect of the Honors College, whether or not they had previously been involved with any Honors organization. Freshman Kyra Patel had this to say about the experience: “When I volunteered at the Big Event with the Honors College, the environment was very welcoming. The others that volunteered with this organization had done so in past years and with them, they increased my motivation and morale. I will continue to participate with this organization in the upcoming years.” Junior Maddie Meyers, another volunteer, said this about her day: “Volunteering with the Honors College was a great experience. Connecting with faculty members and my fellow Honors students reminded me not only of how we can support each other but also of our place in the wider Norman community. When we work together, we have a big impact and can do amazing things!”
Another side of this great event is the year-round work needed to make it a reality. Honors senior Emiline Henderson is part of The Big Event executive team, and she knows firsthand the hard work that goes into the event from lining up job sites, organizing different volunteer groups, and coordinating small tasks like handing out tools and distributing shirts. On the actual day, she says, “It all starts with the Opening Ceremony in the Armory, where group representatives, student leaders, and campus leaders gather for breakfast and a few speakers to hear about the organization and its mission. From there, group leaders stop by the duck pond, where our team helps them load up on tools and supplies for the day, then they head to their job sites. After 4 hours of community service, groups return to campus, drop off their tools, and finish their day. Big Event team members spent the rest of the day putting tools away and appreciating all the work that had been done.” The Big Event team consists of an executive and operations committee and is completely made up of student volunteers.
The collaboration among Honors student organizations, and the participation of Honors students from across campus, are just small parts of what the Big Event has accomplished for the university and surrounding communities. Events like these emphasize the importance of getting involved in student life. Henderson encourages everyone to get involved, saying, “Students should participate in the Big Event because it is a day where you can take a step back from all the hustle and bustle of college life, and spend a few hours being reminded of what’s truly important.”
