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 15th annual Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award will be presented at Family Weekend 2026, which will take place October 16-18.
Nominate your family below!
2026 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 15th annual Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award will be presented at Family Weekend, which will take place October 16-18, 2025.
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 Submissions will be accepted starting on July 1st, 2026. 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 October 2026, and they will receive the following:
- A commemorative plaque presented at Family Weekend 2026
- All fees associated with Family Weekend registration will be waived or refunded if already paid in full
- A gift from the University Bookstore
- A featured article on GMU.edu
- A family photoshoot and featured cover photo on the 2027-2028 Family Calendar
QUESTIONS? Contact Camille Clark, Associate Director of Family Programs, at [email protected].