President Jonathan J. Sanford, Ph.D. | University of Dallas website

IRVING, Texas (April 16, 2024) — On Saturday, April 27, members of the University of Dallas community will gather to serve local households through The Big Event, UD’s largest annual day of community service.

Dean of Students Greg Roper, PhD, BA ’84, shared his experience participating in The Big Event, saying, “The first year, I worked with a crew clearing, weed-whacking and trimming a retired single woman’s back yard, painting her shed and allowing her to use her property and enjoy her area so much more. She was so grateful, and the students I worked with loved getting outside and working together on such a satisfying project.”

Roper emphasized the sense of community fostered by the event, stating, “The students especially loved working alongside faculty, staff, and their families. It was a fun, sweaty, rewarding day, and by 1 p.m. we all felt much more connected to our Irving friends and neighbors.”

Grace Bascon ’25, a member of the leadership team of The Big Event, highlighted the progress made in volunteer recruitment, mentioning, “The Big Event is in its third year of service. These past two years have been a successful way for the University of Dallas community to serve the Irving community, and we hope to continue that success this year.”

Bascon also provided insight into the current status of volunteer sign-ups, stating, “Through the core executive team this year of founder Aubrey Wieberg ’24, Porter Schmidt ’25, and Leila Simone Bell ’24 and myself, we have been able to recruit 130 volunteers and have 50 households signed up as of right now.”

Last year, over 250 students, faculty, staff, and other volunteers served over 50 households, showcasing the impact of the event on the local community.

For those interested in volunteering or in need of volunteers for house or yard work, sign-up links are available for both volunteers and Irving residents.

The Big Event at the University of Dallas continues to be a successful initiative that bridges the gap between the university community and the residents of Irving, fostering a spirit of service and connection.

For more information about the University of Dallas and its commitment to providing a holistic education, please visit udallas.edu.