From the Nominator

"Cougstival is a week-long campus-wide service scavenger hunt that creates opportunities for connection between BYU students, alumni, and the campus community. Using the Goosechase app, students complete service missions on their own time to serve others, learn about campus resources, and win points for prizes. The week culminates with a service project where students, local alumni, and their families serve together, weaving mats out of plastic bags for a nonprofit. 

BYU Student Alumni establishes meaningful connections between BYU students, alumni, and the university. Additionally, Student Alumni educates students on what it means to be active and engaged alumni who give their time, talents, and treasure to their alma mater. Cougstival is designed to engage students in opportunities to give their time and connect with BYU alumni. The service missions are curated to increase connection and belonging by collaborating with university offices, programs, and community partners to provide service opportunities that also achieve the partnering organization’s mission. 

Four hundred sixteen students actively participated in 55 student, alumni, and university-oriented missions, which culminated in 3,492 total acts of service or 1,450 service hours. At the Side-By-Side service project, 341 people participated (274 alumni and family and 67 students). Their service efforts saved over 10,000 plastic bags from landfills. We know Cougstival was successful because we measured the student, alumni, and university connections achieved. Feedback from students revealed they found belonging, purpose and increased satisfaction with their educational experience through this event."

From the Judges

As an event with a stated goal of educating students on donating time as a part of philanthropy, this hit the mark. Missions to cater to student and alumni needs were thoughtfully done, hand-in-hand with campus partners. The assets had a fun, retro feel which is on trend with the style choices at this time.