Until i read your posting, Just Passing Thru, I had no idea that there was such a thing as Emeritus or that one attained this status by staying nites, having 3 million points, etc.
Your research was enlightening so i got the letter out. Perhaps iin 1994, they did not call it Emeritus.
The letter stated what i had written: that i had a attained a 'respected place' in the program, that they were presenting me w/Plat Marquis Level Automatic Renewal Status and a few other kind sentences.
The day Marriott started this program in the 80s, I signed up and accumulated a lot of points very rapidly....long b4 Marriott owned the children: Courtyard, Fairfield, etc.
Perhaps this contributed to their kind decision.
Good luck in achieving it, Just Passing Thru.