The Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award was established to recognize the critical role families play in their student’s experience at Mason and to remind us that families are an essential part of the support network for our students. The 13th annual Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award will be presented at Family Weekend 2023, which will take place October 13-October 15. Nominate your family below!
2023 Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award Application
The Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award was established to recognize the critical role families play in their student’s experience at Mason and to remind us that families are an essential part of the support network for our students. The 13th annual Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award will be presented at Family Weekend, which will take place October 13-15, 2023.
SELECTION PROCESS
At Mason, we believe family is made up of many different people – parents, siblings, cousins, roommates, classmates, best friends, significant others, children, and more. We invite the Mason community to recognize a Mason student and their family by submitting a nomination that describes why this student and their family is worthy of this honor. Self-nominations are accepted. All entries will be judged using the following criteria:
- • Evidence of family’s support for student’s college success
- • Evidence of family’s enthusiasm for Mason
- • Ability to articulate why their family is deserving of this honor
ENTRY SUBMISSION Nominations must be submitted by August 4, 11:59 p.m. ET. The winner will be chosen by a panel of Mason affiliates comprised of faculty, staff, a Parent and Family Council member, and a graduate and undergraduate student. It is the sole discretion of New Student and Family Programs to determine acceptability of content or style. The following entry types will be considered in the selection process:
- • Collage or Presentation (minimum of 5 slides)
- • Essay (minimum of 500 words)
- • Music Video
AWARD WINNINGS The winner will be notified via email by the end of August 2023, and they will receive the following:
- • A commemorative plaque presented at Family Weekend 2023
- • All fees associated with Family Weekend registration will be waived or refunded if already paid in full (up to $300 will be covered)
- • $100 gift card to the University Bookstore
- • A GMU woven blanket from the University Bookstore
- • A featured article on GMU.edu
- • A family photoshoot and featured cover photo on the 2024-2025 Family Calendar
QUESTIONS? Contact Daylen Orlick, Associate Director of Family Programs, at dorlick@gmu.edu.