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!
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.
The Big Event 2026 - 2027 Leadership Team
Chair of The Big Event - Emily Buechele
Associate Chair - Rachel Bradburry
Vice Chair of Campus Engagement - Mia McDonough
Vice Chair of Sponsorship - Luke Newman
Vice Chair of Jobsite Recruitment - Sara Daniel
Vice Chair of Operations - Logan Brownfield
Vice Chair of Community Relations - Maddie Le
Vice Chair of Strategy & Technology - Caliana Ortega
Vice Chair of Public Relations - Genna Myers
Hey everyone! My name is Emily Buechele, and I am a senior from Arlington, Texas with a double major in Communication and Nonprofit & Public Administration. I have been a part of The Big Event since my freshman year, and it has become one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience. Service and leadership are very important to me, and I’m proud to be part of an organization committed to uplifting others and creating positive change in our community. Being surrounded by other students who share these values has been continuously inspiring, and I'm excited to continue making a difference together!
Hi there! My name is Rachel Bradburry, and I am a senior from Grapevine, Texas, studying advertising with minors in theatre and general business! I volunteered with The Big Event my freshman year and knew after that I wanted to be an executive member! I served on the Special Events committee during my sophomore and junior years, and I'm lucky now to be the Associate Chair of this wonderful organization. I am so thankful for the community TBE has brought me, and I love TBE because there is something special about working with that community to improve the one we live in.
Hi! My name is Caliana Ortega, and I’m a junior from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma majoring in Biochemistry. I volunteered at the Big Event my freshman year and loved it so much that I wanted to be more involved! I joined the exec team sophomore year as part of Strategy & Technology, and am now so grateful to be Vice Chair of that same committee this year. I’ve always loved serving my community and getting a chance to be hands-on with other likeminded people, and The Big Event is such a perfect place to foster that love. There are so many lovely people at OU and TBE has connected me with them!
Hi! My name is Genna Myers and I am a sophomore from Trophy Club, Texas studying Public Relations with a minor in digital marketing! I joined TBE last year as a member of PR’s executive committee, and I’m so blessed to be serving as Vice Chair of PR this year! Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside so many amazing and service-minded people. I love TBE because of the community it creates and the opportunity to serve others alongside people who share the same heart for giving back!
Hi! My name is Mia McDonough and I am a Senior from Edmond, Oklahoma. I am currently in Nursing school and I have a minor in Psychology and Health and Exercise Science. I joined TBE my freshman year as a member of the Operations Staff. My Sophomore and Junior year I was a member of Campus Engagement executive committee, and this year I am honored to serve as the Vice Chair of Campus Engagement. Over the past four years, I have been so grateful to experience the incredible community within TBE and the meaningful connections it creates. I love seeing how TBE brings people together with a shared passion for serving others, and I am so thankful to be a part of an organization that makes such a positive impact in the community.
Hi! I'm Luke Newman, a junior from Houston, Texas, double majoring in Finance and Management Information Systems. I joined The Big Event last year on the Sponsorship executive committee, and I'm excited to be stepping into the role of Vice Chair of Sponsorship this year! Last year introduced me to an incredible community of selfless people, and being part of something that made such a big impact on Norman and the surrounding area was truly special.
Hi! My name is Sara Daniel, and I am a third-year student from Argyle, Texas, studying psychology with a minor in sociology-criminology! I joined TBE last year as a member of JR's executive committee, and feel so grateful to be the Vice Chair of Jobsite Recruitment! TBE has given me the community I always wished for before college. It has been such a dream come true to lead a group of amazing people in serving our community!
Hi! I’m Logan Brownfield, a senior from Franklin, Tennessee studying Environmental Engineering. I joined The Big Event as a member of Operations Staff during my freshman year and could not be more grateful that I did. I am so proud to be part of an organization that makes such a positive impact on its community, inside and out. The Big Event has changed my life, as it has for so many others, for the better. I could not be more excited to serve as Vice Chair of Operations this year and to continue contributing to a mission that means so much to me.
Hii! My name is Madison Le and I’m a junior from Houston, Texas in Nursing school at OU while also pursing my Public and Community Health minor. I joined TBE my freshman year of college and moved onto exec my sophomore year in Community Relations. I am so blessed to be the given the opportunity to serve as this years Vice Chair of Community Relations!! The last couple of years have been nothing but rewarding for me as I have been able to serve our community alongside my friends. I am beyond excited that I get to keep pouring love into this amazing group of people and build our community through service!
