PSU honors families

Pittsburg State University will honor two Southeast Kansas families at the annual Family Day festivities this Saturday, Sept. 23. This year's events coincide with the always popular U.S. Cellular Miner's Bowl game against Missouri Southern State University. The game begins at 2 p.m. at Carnie Smith Stadium.

The winners of the 2006 Honorary Family Award are the Steve and Marsha Merando family of Frontenac, Kan. The Merandos were nominated by their son Adam, a senior biology/chemistry major. Steve and Marsha's other children, Chris, Chad, and Anthony are also included in the honor. Every member in the Merando family has attended PSU at some point. The family will have earned a total of five degrees upon Adam's graduation next spring.

In his nomination, Adam, a PSU Ambassador and Pitt CARES leader, praised his family's unwavering support and guidance. Recalling a time he scored less than expected on an exam, he said his mother nonetheless hung the test on the refrigerator with pride. "She looked at me and said 'If this is the best you can do, then I am very proud of you,'" he said. "Good or okay was always great if it was my best."

A family from Baxter Springs, Kan., Larry and Vicki O'Neal and their daughter Valerie, has been named runners-up. The O’Neals were nominated by their daughter, Natalie, who is a graduate student at PSU. Natalie, also a PSU Ambassador, is working on her master's degree in education, and describes her family as long-time supporters, students and donors of Pitt State.

"My sister and I grew up in a household that was surrounded with love and support," she said. "I never recall being told I couldn’t do something…or wasn’t good enough.

Families are selected based on their involvement with PSU, their encouragement toward one another, and their support for higher education and the mission of the university.

The two families will be honored at halftime. President Tom Bryant will lead them onto the field and present them with plaques.

Family Day is an annual tradition at Pitt State and includes a variety of other events. This Saturday's schedule:
• 8 a.m. – 5K Fun Run/Walk, PSU Student Health Center
• 9 a.m. – Parents of Freshman Q&A, 409 Russ Hall
• 10 a.m. – President’s Brunch, Second Floor of Russ Hall
• 11 a.m. – GorillaFest, East side of Carnie Smith Stadium
• 2 p.m. – Pitt State football vs. MSSU

For more information, contact Ed Wirthwein, assistant director of Campus Activities, at (620) 235-4905 or Jolene Selvey, interim director of University Development, at (620) 235-4756.

---Pitt State---