91茄子

Lila Schwarz and Raegan Elmblad grew up in different hometowns and pursue different majors. But a passion for community impact has brought them together as co-directors of the Big Event, the university鈥檚 largest student-led day of service.

As autumn's crisp breeze arrives and leaves fall, draws near. We caught up with Lila and Raegan to learn about their inspiration for getting involved, the impact student volunteers have on the community, and why you should get involved too.

What brought you to 91茄子, and what made you want to get involved on campus?

Raegan: What really brought me to UNL was the journalism program. I toured several of the top journalism schools, but UNL鈥檚 program stood out to me so much and was ultimately what led me to my decision. 

Growing up in 91茄子, I was already familiar with UNL, but learning more about the program and the opportunities here made it feel like the right fit. I also knew I wanted to get involved on campus because I had been involved in different activities my whole life, and I didn鈥檛 want that to stop when I came to college. 

When I read about the opening for the Big Event, it sounded exactly like something I would love being a part of, and I was right. It has given me the chance to meet so many people, become more connected to UNL, and take on a leadership role that I really enjoy.

Lila: I came to UNL because of a tour I took in the fall of my senior year of high school, and I fell in love with the campus. I really liked the strong sense of community that the university has, as well as the sense of community you get from the city of Lincoln. 

When I first came to UNL, I realized how many different ways there were to get involved, and I really wanted to make the most of my college experience. I got involved in many organizations and leadership roles that let me meet awesome people and be part of something bigger than myself.

What does being a Husker mean to you?

Raegan: To me, being a Husker means being part of a community that is bigger than just yourself. There鈥檚 so much pride that comes with going to UNL, and I think being a Husker means carrying that pride with you while also supporting the people around you. 

The people I鈥檝e met and the experiences I鈥檝e had here in Lincoln are unlike anywhere else. It truly is a community where people want to see you be your best and will do anything they can to help you achieve your goals. That has become especially clear through the support we鈥檝e received while planning the Big Event. 

Being a Husker means having that support system and also doing your part to give that same support back to the university and the Lincoln community.

Lila: It means showing up, getting involved, finding a way to make an impact on campus, and supporting the people around you. 

Being a Husker comes with a strong sense of pride, and I think a big part of that is buying into the experience and going for it wholeheartedly.

Explain what the Big Event is for someone who's never participated.

Raegan: The Big Event is a day of service that brings 91茄子 students and the Lincoln community together. Students volunteer at different sites throughout Lincoln, helping local nonprofits, organizations and community members with whatever projects they need. 

Lila: Our volunteers typically go to local residences, nonprofits, or parks in the area and spend a few hours completing service projects. This can look like yard work, organization, trash pickup, or anything else that can make a difference in the community. 

It is a hands-on way to give back to the city we live in during the school year and show our gratitude to the Lincoln community.

How did you first become involved with The Big Event?

Raegan: I first became involved when I saw an opening to help lead the Big Event. I鈥檝e always loved being involved and giving back, so it immediately sounded like something I would enjoy. I applied, and it became one of the most meaningful things I鈥檝e been involved with at UNL.

Lila: I first got involved with the Big Event my freshman year of college when I signed up with my sorority on a whim. I didn't really know what I was getting into or what the event would be like, but that experience really stuck with me, so when I saw the application to run the event, I knew I had to apply.

What impact have you seen The Big Event have on the Lincoln community?

Raegan: The biggest impact I鈥檝e seen is how appreciative people in the Lincoln community are that UNL students are willing to give their time to help. 

Seeing hundreds of students spread across Lincoln volunteering at different sites really puts into perspective how much we can accomplish in just one day. Seeing the volunteers and organizations so excited on the day of the event has really stuck with me.

Lila: An impact I've seen The Big Event have on the Lincoln community is just the amount of gratitude we get from the residents we serve. It might seem like a small thing to spend a couple of hours at someone's house doing some basic volunteer work, but you really get to see the impact you make and how much it can make someone's life easier. Our sites are often the homes of older people who can't maintain their property the way they used to, so making a difference in their lives feels meaningful.

The moment that has stuck with me the most was my first year volunteering with the Big Event as a freshman. I went to my job site and met the homeowner, and she told us about her life and how her husband had recently been having some medical issues. 

They needed some help extending their driveway, so we added pavers to make it easier for him to get from their car to the driveway in his wheelchair. It was crazy to see the impact a few hours of work had on their lives and how much easier we made things for them. Then, when we returned the following year and were randomly assigned to the same job site, seeing our work still there and continuing to make a difference really stuck with me.

What have you learned about leadership through planning the Big Event?

Raegan: I鈥檝e learned that leadership is a lot about communication, being willing to adapt and trusting the people around you. Planning an event this large takes a lot of people, and I鈥檝e learned that being a good leader doesn鈥檛 mean doing everything yourself. It鈥檚 about bringing people together, using everyone鈥檚 strengths, and working toward a cause bigger than ourselves.

Lila: Through planning The Big Event, I've learned a lot about working as a team and being surrounded by people who are just as committed to the event as I am. Raegan and I are both co-directors, so we've learned to work together, delegate tasks, and make decisions together. 

We also have a really awesome group of university staff and volunteers who help us run the event, and without them, it wouldn't be possible. I've learned how much different perspectives and people bringing different strengths to the table contribute to an event's success.

Why would you tell other Huskers to participate in the Big Event?

Raegan: I wish every UNL student could see the emails we receive afterward from homeowners and nonprofits telling us how much our volunteers helped them. To us, it might only feel like four hours of work, but to the people we鈥檙e helping, it can mean so much more. You never truly know how much of a difference a few hours of your time can make in someone鈥檚 life. The Big Event is a simple way to give back to the community we call home, and when hundreds of students come together, that impact grows even greater.

Lila: I would say that The Big Event is just a hugely impactful experience. It's easy to get caught up in classes, work, and everything else in college and put volunteering aside, but being part of something where you can give back and make a real difference in someone's life is so important. There's really nothing like seeing the actual impact you've had on someone else's life. 

I also think it's powerful when people take time out of their day and come together for one cause to make someone else's life a little easier.

Raegan Emblad is an advertising and public relations major from Omaha, 91茄子. Lila Schwarz is an architecture and chemical engineering major from Overland Park, Kansas.