Massey Awards for UNC employees to increase in numbers, dollars

By CHRYS P. BULLARD
Office of University Development

CHAPEL HILL -- One of the largest and most prestigious awards for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill employees will become more valuable in 2004, the 25^th anniversary of the honor’s creation.

Thanks to growth in the endowment, the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Awards for "unusual, meritorious or superior contribution" to the university will increase from $5,000 to $6,000 and the number of annual recipients will grow from four to six. 2004 winners will be announced in April.

The award fund was started in 1980 by Durham advertising executive C. Knox Massey.

"As an alumnus of the class of 1925, C. Knox Massey loved the university," said Chancellor James Moeser. "As a businessman, he recognized the value of dedicated employees and believed in rewarding them for a job well done. Expanding the awards offers an even greater opportunity to fulfill his vision."

Moeser proposed the increases, which are made possible by growth of the $2 million endowment funding the awards. The chancellor announced the expanded program on Friday (Jan. 9) at the annual retreat of the Employee Forum, Carolina's staff representative advisory body.

Massey founded his advertising agency in 1930 and was considered one of the state’s advertising pioneers. Throughout his career, he generously donated time and resources to his alma mater. In 1941, he established a scholarship fund at the university. He served as a trustee for 25 years (1953 – 1973) and after his retirement in 1964, as a volunteer fund raiser in the Office of University Development.

In 1980, he created the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Awards for university employees and in 1984, joined the families of his son, Knox Massey Jr., and daughter, Kay Massey Weatherspoon in creating the Massey-Weatherspoon fund. Income from this fund supports both the Massey Awards as well as Carolina Seminars, which promote interdisciplinary thought, study, discussion and intellectual interchange on a wide variety of topics.

"The university is very grateful for the foresight and generosity of C. Knox Massey as well as the family’s continued support," said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for university advancement. "These increases are possible because of their dedication to the awards."

To celebrate the silver anniversary of the Massey Distinguished Service Awards, past Massey Award recipients will be invited to join the 2004 winners at the annual recognition luncheon set to take place in April.

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Office of University Development contact: Speed Hallman, 962-0027
News Services contact: Mike McFarland, 962-8593