Your family could be the next Family of the Year!

The 9th annual Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award, which will be presented at Family Weekend 2019 on November 8-10, was established to recognize the critical role families play in their student’s experience at Mason and to remind us that you are an essential part of our students’ support network.

Instructions
Mason undergraduate students have the opportunity to nominate their family by either submitting an essay, a short video, or other creative works (e.g. song, artwork, etc.) that describes why their family is worthy of this honor. All entries will be judged using the following criteria:

  • Must pertain to George Mason University
  • 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

All entries must be accompanied by a nomination form, which can be found at masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu/2019-family-of-the-year-application. Entries must be submitted in electronically, and the deadline to submit an entry is 5 p.m. on Friday, October 25. The guidelines below will be considered in the selection process:

  • Written submissions should be no more than 1,000 words and can be submitted using the space on masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu/2019-family-of-the-year-application or uploaded as a PDF document.
  • Video submissions must follow YouTube rules and guidelines, be no longer than three minutes, must not exceed 500MB, and you must have ownership of the video and permissions from anyone appearing in it. Video submissions should be emailed to families@gmu.edu.
  • Other creative works submissions must be solely owned and created by you. Links to view creative works accepted.
  • It is the sole discretion of George Mason University New Student and Family Programs to determine acceptability of content or style.

Selection Process
Family of the Year Award nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 25. A panel of university representatives comprised of faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate students will choose the winning family. The winning family will be notified via email. The 2019 Family of the Year will receive the following:

  • A commemorative plaque presented at “Mason’s Got Talent: Dinner and a Show” on Saturday, November 9 (tickets to show included)
  • All fees associated with Family Weekend registration will be waived or refunded if already paid in full (up to $300)
  • $200 worth of merchandise from the University Bookstore
  • Four prime tickets to Mason’s first men’s home basketball game on Friday, November 8
  • A featured article on gmu.edu
  • A family photo shoot and featured cover photo on the upcoming Mason Family Calendar print publication

To register for Family Weekend on November 8-10, visit masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu. For questions about the Family of the Year Award, contact Amie Mbye, Graduate Assistant for Family Programs, at ambye@gmu.edu.

Amie Mbye
Family Programs Graduate Assistant
New Student and Family Programs

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