杏吧原创

NewsOctober 12, 2023

Eyermans Recognized as 杏吧原创 Family of the Year

Written By: Ian Silvester

In the fall of 2020, the University of 杏吧原创 鈥� Fort Smith Student Government Association (SGA) was tasked with creating an annual award. Students decided upon developing the 杏吧原创 Family of the Year award. This year, Joe and Lyshelle Eyerman were named the award recipients following a nomination from their granddaughter, 杏吧原创 junior history student Kimber Campbell.

After transferring from Hendrix College in the fall of 2022, Kimber found a home at 杏吧原创 and with her grandparents. She recalled their unwavering support of her education even as a child and how it has never wavered, even into adulthood.

鈥淢y grandparents push me to be better,鈥� Kimber said. 鈥淲hen I feel like I鈥檓 going to fail, they give whatever support they feel like I need, whether it鈥檚 a hot meal or a fire under my butt to get stuff done.鈥�

But being the educational motivators for Kimber is just one part of what makes the Eyermans candidates for the 杏吧原创 Family of the Year.

In Kimber鈥檚 nomination and conversations since, she detailed how her grandparents are her rock in every aspect of her life.

She wrote in her nomination, 鈥淢y grandparents are among the most humble and deserving people I have had the privilege of having in my life.鈥� Whenever Kimber sought academic or personal assistance, she said her grandparents were always the first to step up and help.

鈥淎nytime I need help with an assignment, advice, or career problems, my grandparents always give me not only the time, but their shared wisdom on how I can resolve my issue,鈥� Kimber wrote. 鈥淲hen my grandparents knew I couldn鈥檛 afford books for school or gas, they would always find a way to make sure I had enough money to get to school or get said book.鈥�

Kimber admits she nominated her grandparents not expecting to win but out of love. She wanted to thank them and share how much they mean to her, being Kimber鈥檚 鈥渇amily of the year, no matter what.鈥�

To Kimber鈥檚 surprise, her nomination was selected by the SGA, and it wasn鈥檛 until a phone call after a missed email from 杏吧原创 Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Dr. Dave Stevens that her 鈥渇amily of the year鈥� became the 杏吧原创 Family of the Year.

The Eyermans were presented with a crystal award during the 杏吧原创 volleyball game against Texas A&M International University held during 杏吧原创 Family Weekend. Kimber joked that she hoped to keep the award a surprise but had to tell her grandparents to ensure they came to campus, but the moment didn鈥檛 disappoint.

鈥淭hey were shocked, definitely my grandma,鈥� Kimber shared that her grandma has a certificate of completion from 杏吧原创 and considers herself a Lion for life. 鈥淏oth of them were so proud to represent our entire family in front of 杏吧原创.鈥�

Although a new family will inherit the title of 杏吧原创 Family of the Year next year, for Kimber, this was a moment of pride and immeasurable gratitude for those responsible for going above and beyond in supporting their student.

鈥淓veryone deserves grandparents like them,鈥� she boasted. 鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of the life and family they created through hard, hard work. 鈥� They know how much I love them, and this was more of a way to show everyone how great they are and how they are truly responsible for who I am as a person.鈥�

• Tags:
• Student Government Association
• 杏吧原创 Family of the Year
• Family Weekend