What is The Big Event?
Since its introduction in 1982, The Big Event has become the largest, one-day, student-run service project in the nation. Each spring, tens of thousands of Texas A&M students come together to say “Thank You” to the residents of Bryan and College Station. For the past 40 years, Aggie students have participated in this annual event to show their appreciation to the surrounding community, completing service projects such as yard work, window washing, and painting for residents of the community. Although The Big Event has become the largest one-day, student-run service project in the nation, our message and our mission remains the same – to simply say “Thank You.”
“Through service-oriented activities, The Big Event promotes campus and community unity as students come together for one day to express their gratitude for the support from the surrounding community.”
The Big Event is a proud member of the Student Government Association at Texas A&M, and a recognized student organization of Texas A&M University.
History of The Big Event
In 1982 Joe Nussbaum, then Vice President of the Student Government Association at Texas A&M University, started The Big Event as a way for students to say “Thank You” to the surrounding community. Nussbaum envisioned a one-day service project where residents of Bryan and College Station would be shown appreciation for their continued support of Texas A&M University students during their college careers. Mr. Nussbaum viewed The Big Event as a means for students to show their gratitude by completing various tasks at area residents’ homes. Joe believed that it was the least the students could do to give one big thanks to their community on One Big Day each year.
Core Values
The Big Event at Texas A&M University is an organization that strives to uphold the ideals of unity and service. This one-day event is not based on socioeconomic need, but rather, it is a way for the student body to express their gratitude to the community that supports Texas A&M. It is important to remember The Big Event is not about the number of jobs completed or the number of students who participate each year. Instead, it is the interaction between students and residents, and the unity that results throughout the community that makes The Big Event so unique.