McNeese Students Say Thank You With The Big Event

The Big Event is an organization at McNeese State University that promotes unity as it gathers students for service projects to show appreciation and gratitude to the surrounding community.  

Meetings are every Tuesday from 8-9 p.m. at the Henning SEED Center for current executive members, committee members and staff assistants. Students can pay a membership fee of $20.  

This organization will sponsor a service project April 18, 2026, and the kickoff ceremony will be held in the quad. From there, volunteers will go out into the Southwest Louisiana community to residences and non-profit organizations to provide various services.  

Interested students can go on Instagram @thebigeventmsu to learn about upcoming student informational gatherings, deadlines and events. The Big Event also encourages students to attend interest meetings and follow McNeese student channels for reminders. Anyone is welcome to volunteer at events and there is always space to assume leadership positions.  

Student Director Andrew Dalton says, “The Big Event has such a strong tradition at universities across the country and I knew it could make a powerful impact in Southwest Louisiana by showing just how much McNeese students care about their community.” 

Since it’s the organization’s first year at McNeese, the goal is to establish awareness as to what The Big Event is and create a strong foundation that can be built on for years to come.  

According to Dalton, living in a college town may not always be easy, so it’s important for students to show appreciation to those that support McNeese. 

“I always tell students that it’s about more than just volunteering,” says Dalton. “It’s about the connections you make, leadership skills you learn and the pride you gain in the university.” 

Dalton’s long-term goal is to make service a natural part of McNeese culture. He wants the organization to be something that grows every year in both participation and community impact. 

“I hope that it can become a core part of this college experience and that it will expand to include more service sites, volunteers and stronger partnerships with local businesses and organizations,” adds Dalton.  

“The Big Event isn’t just about one day – it’s about community, connection and gratitude,” says Dalton. “I want everyone to know that their time and effort truly matter. Every act of service, no matter how small, contributes to the message.”