Mission
The Big Event at Virginia Tech is a student-run community service effort that has grown into the 2nd largest event of its kind in the nation. Every spring, thousands of students, faculty, and staff come together to complete hundreds of community service projects throughout Blacksburg, Christiansburg and the New River Valley.
Projects are completed regardless of need or socioeconomic status; instead, it is The Big Event’s goal to simply say, “Thank you.” Seeded in our university’s motto of Ut Prosim (That I may serve) students and community members come together for a truly unparalleled experience.
The Big Event: “One Big Day. One Big Thanks.”
History
Starting in 2002, The Big Event at Virginia Tech has grown exponentially. Rooted in Virginia Tech’s motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), The Big Event has provided an opportunity for the entire Virginia Tech community to join together and thank the surrounding communities of Virginia Tech.
As you can see in the graphs below, the 2002 Big Event saw about 475 volunteers with 60 projects. This past year, The Big Event 2019 saw 7,820 volunteers complete 1,180 projects.
Year Date Director(s) Assistant Director(s) Volunteers Projects
2022 April 9 Emily Smith & Nicky Hatch N/A TBD! TBD!
2021 April 3 Julia Farrell & Trilby Brown N/A 0 COVID 😭😭
2020 April 4 Julia Farrell & Sam Johnson N/A 0 COVID 😭😭
2019 April 6 Kelly McConnell & Katie Rappold Steven Black 7,820 1,180 Completed
2018 April 7 Monica Ricci & Eric Rothenberger Kelly McConnell 8,140 1,125 Completed
2017 April 8 Abbey Brainard & John Tedesco Monica Ricci 8,223 1,174 Completed
2016 April 9 Steven Vanderloo & Rahul Kulkarni Ellie Helton 9,200 1,102 Completed
2015 April 11 Tory Cottle & Austin Moon Steven Vanderloo 8,050 1,043 Completed
2014 April 5 Tony Ardura & Keith Bardsley Meggie Summers 7,806 878 Completed
2013 April 6 Doug Brainard Tony Ardura & Jamie Lien 6,855 840 Completed
2012 March 31 Neil Allerton & Anuj Bagai Doug Brainard 6,852 990 Completed
2011 April 9 Nathan Lavinka & Gavin McDuff Allen Bowman 6,731 950 Completed
2010 April 17 Dan Knisley Nathan Lavinka 6,145 908 Completed
2009 April 18 Michael Jabs Dan Knisley 5,745 745 Completed
2008 April 5 Sussanah Siner Megan Lyons 3,565 453 Completed
2007 March 31 Brian Torgerson Julie Chop 3,529 356 Completed
2006 April 1 Chris Sweeney Brian Torgerson 2,100 250 Completed
2005 April 9 Melinda Schlenk Adam Street 1,650 200 Completed
2004 March 27 Andy Landers Summeet Bagai 1,450 179 Completed
2003 March 29 Christina Coukos Shannon Bourchies 900 130 Completed
2002 April 6 Christina Coukos N/A 475 60 Completed
