Hundreds of families will visit their children at Iowa State this weekend, but one has been chosen at ISU’s Family of the Year.

“We looked for the all-around family,” said Dave Critchlow, assistant director of Student Programs. “Someone who was involved not only in the university, but in their community as well.”

The Harris family of Shenandoah was selected to receive this year’s award.

The family, chosen by a committee, was announced Monday and will be recognized at Saturday’s pre-game show and in all the weekend’s events, Critchlow said.

“The timing is good,” said Julie Larson, director of student and career programs for the university.

“We wanted to be able to recognize an entire family and not exclude adult students or students who come from single parent families,” she said.

“A family is more inclusive of all of Iowa State university’s students.”

The Harris family applied for the award because friends who had participated in previous years encouraged them, said Chad Harris, junior in political science and pre-law.

“I think it is a pretty big honor,” Harris said.

Harris has been actively involved in various aspects of the university, including Farm House Fraternity, the Student Alumni Association, the Honors program, Leadership ISU, Varieties and Homecoming.

Chad’s father, Craig, earned an undergraduate degree in agricultural business in 1968 and a master’s degree in agricultural economics in 1977.

Kathy Harris, Chad’s mother, received an undergraduate degree in home economics education in 1969 and a master’s degree in education in 1977.

Chad’s sister, Shannon, also attended ISU, graduating in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in zoology.

She then went on to medical school at the University of Iowa. After graduating this May, she started her residency in Milwaukee, Wis.

Although the Harris family’s ISU heritage is strong, it was not part of the requirements or criteria for receiving the award.

“It doesn’t make a difference if the parents are alumni,” Critchlow said.

The university looked for well-rounded individuals who were willing to donate themselves to bettering ISU, Critchlow said.

The first honor of this kind, known as the Parents of the Year award, was given in 1968. It was renamed in 1994 to Family of the year, he said.

The Family Weekend festivities are sponsored in part by the Alumni Association and are funded through the Iowa State University Parents Association.