KU student organization wins 'Big Event of the Year' at national conference

LAWRENCE — The Big Event at KU, a student organization that is centered on non-need-based community service, was awarded “Big Event of the Year” during the 2026 One Big Thanks Conference at the University of Florida.  

The One Big Thanks Conference is an annual opportunity for students across the nation to unite and educate one another on their days of service. Founded at Texas A&M University, the Big Event conference helps spread the message of the organization across various college campuses and allows student leaders to share ideas to implement over the next year. 

The Big Event at KU was established in 2011. Each school year, a new leadership team is welcomed and is organized into five committees to efficiently run the program. As the single largest day of service, The Big Event helps connect students to the Lawrence community by completing various projects in their neighborhoods. The event offers students a way to thank the community that shares its town with college students year-round. 

“The Big Event continues to serve our community as well as provide an opportunity for our students, faculty and staff to connect with the Lawrence community,” said Jack Kredo, executive director of KU Memorial Unions. “I am proud of the Big Event team for winning the Big Event of the Year. The Big Event is truly making our community better every day.”

From fall 2024 to fall 2025, The Big Event’s leadership team at KU doubled their volunteer numbers from the previous year. This was made possible through recruitment events on the Lawrence campus, community partnerships and in-kind donations, which successfully led to higher engagement.  

The next Big Event day of service will be April 18. Registration to be a job site will open in late February.

To learn more about The Big Event, contact Hannah Smith, executive director, at tbe@ku.edu. Learn more about volunteering on The Big Event website, and follow the organization at @thebigeventku.