Miami University will honor three individuals during Family Weekend 2008.
Miami's Parents of the Year, will be awarded to Sally and Tim Myers of Oxford.
The Family Member of the Year award will honor Alan Burba, father of current Miami junior Erin Burba.
According to Kelly McCormick, Family Weekend co-chair and member of Campus Activities Council, Alan Burba will receive a free stay at the Miami Inn, a $100 gift certificate to Alexander House, recognition during halftime at the football game, a plaque and free tickets to any university events he chooses to attend
"I think it's nice that the family members are being honored during family weekend," McCormick said. "It shows that we care about our family members enough to take the time to recognize them."
Sally and Tim will receive a football jersey signed by the football team and recognition during halftime at the football game, as well as a plaque, according to McCormick.
Unfortunately, the Myers said they would not be able to attend the football game Saturday in person due to extenuating circumstances. One of the their children will be present to pick up the award for them.
The Parents of the Year award has been reinstated for the first time since 2002.
Winners of both awards were judged based on the evaluation of letters of recommendation submitted to Campus Activities Council. Patti Holmes, former associate director of Miami Recreational Sports, wrote one of the three recommendations the Myers received.
According to Holmes, Sally's greatest contribution to Miami was the initial idea, planning and completion of the Recreational Sports Center.
"She had the desire and initial vision to have that facility on campus." Holmes said. "(This contribution) has helped students make better life choices … and become active participants, building stronger minds, spirits and bodies."
According to Holmes, Sally served in various administrative positions within Intramural Recreation and Recreational Sports at Miami, including assistant coordinator of intramural recreation and administrative director at the office of recreational sports.
During this time, Sally began to work with other administrators, including Vice President of Student Affairs Gilbert Siegel and Robert Etheridge, to achieve a state-of-the-art recreational center for students.
"Sally was the driving force behind the Recreational Sports Center," Holmes said. "The creation of the Miami Recreational Sports Center was her passion."
In Holmes's recommendation letter, she recounts that Sally worked with university decision makers, planners, architects, design groups and general contractors.
"(She worked) to create on paper a blueprint for the vision she held near and dear to her heart for years," Holmes said.
In her letter, Holmes also attested to the amount of time and devotion Sally's husband Tim donated to Miami students over the years.
"Tim was her partner in this vision and supported her work," she wrote. "His reputation as a fair and caring business man earned him and his company College Real Estate an outstanding reputation in serving students throughout the years."
She said Tim's support was very important to Sally's work.
"He has always been at her side," Holmes said.
Sally and Tim have three children, Travis, Lindsay and Whitney. Travis is a Miami graduate who manages a store in Hamilton and serves as diving coach at Talawanda High School, Lindsay is a realtor in California and Whitney is a pharmacy major at the University of Arizona.
Sally said she is thankful for the recognition.
"We were surprised and honored," Sally said. "We certainly appreciate the recognition."
