The Big Event

What is The Big Event?

Throughout the years, the community of Laramie has shown endless support to the students of UW. The Big Event’s goal is to reciprocate that appreciation to residents. 

Mission: Through service-oriented activities, the Big Event promotes campus and community unity as University of Wyoming students come together for one day to express their gratitude for the support from the surrounding community.

Core Values: The Big Event is an event that strives to uphold the ideals of unity and service. This one-day event is not based on socioeconomic need, but rather a way for the student body to express their gratitude to the community which supports the University. 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 the unity that results throughout the community that makes The Big Event such a unique program.

The BIG Event logo

The Big Event will be Saturday, October 18, 2025

Volunteers

The Big Event is an opportunity for UW students, faculty, and staff to say thank you to the greater Laramie community for the support they provide to students. 

 

This year, volunteer registration will take place on Volunteer Hub. Volunteers and groups will be able to sign up directly for the project they want to complete. The location of each project, along with maximum volunteer capacity, will be listed on the registration form. Large groups may need to split up in order to participate in this event. Each volunteer will need to register individually using their Volunteer Hub account attached to a UWYO email address. Volunteer registration will open on Tuesday, September 16th.

 

Questions or issues? Reach out to bigevent@uwyo.edu. 


Site Leaders

Site Leaders serve an important role in the Big Event! During the Big Event they manage volunteers, tools, and safety at their designated site(s). Site Leaders must attend a training on the day before the Big Event, as well as being part of the Big Event from approximately 9:45am-1:30pm on the day of the event. Most Site Leaders ned access to a vehicle to transport themselves and some tools, but they will not be expected to transport volunteers. 

 

Applications for Big Event Site Leaders will be posted here soon. Site Leaders typically cannot be assigned to work with specific sites or groups of volunteers. 

COMMUNITY

In the 2025 Big Event, volunteers will complete service projects directly with nonprofit organizations across our community. Starting in 2025, the Big Event does not accept  requests from individual residents and businesses. With great appreciation for the relationships built through this model, the SLCE Office acknowledges this announcement presents a change in a beloved tradition in our community.

The theme of the University of Wyoming’s Big Event has always been appreciation to the Laramie community, and the SLCE Office is excited to focus this program towards the organizations who support and enrich our community throughout the year. Organizations who wish to participate in the Big Event should contact bigevent@uwyo.edu. 

HISTORY

The Big Event originated at Texas A&M University in 1982. The Big Event has expanded to colleges and universities across the nation and International schools in Spain, Australia, Italy and Germany. The first annual Big Event was held at the University of Wyoming in the fall of 2013 as the kick-off to homecoming week.