Six honored for service, commitment with prestigious Massey Awards

Several were commended for their personal warmth and longstanding dedication. One was cited for her devotion to social justice, another for her commitment to University sports, and yet another for 30 years of indispensable service to the biology department. A faculty member was recognized for a commitment to the University that stretched far beyond his vitae.

Among them they have nearly 160 years of service, and they are the six outstanding University employees who have been selected to receive 2008 C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Awards, one of the most coveted honors bestowed by Carolina.

Chancellor James Moeser will host a luncheon for the recipients on campus April 26 on what will be the 29th anniversary of the awards.

Moeser selected this year’s recipients based on nominations submitted by the campus community, and each honoree will receive an award citation and a $6,000 stipend. The recipients are:

Gloria Fortune, housekeeper;

Charlotte M. Hines, office manager for Student Accounts and University Receivables;

Terri C. Houston, director of Recruitment and Multicultural Programs;

Beth Miller, senior associate director of athletics;

James Peacock, Kenan Professor of Anthropology and the director of the University Center for International Studies; and

William G. York, laboratory/facilities manager for the Department of Biology.

FORTUNE HINES HOUSTON MILLER PEACOCK YORK

Fortune

Fortune has been the housekeeper — and a fixture — on the fourth floor of Dey Hall for 18 years. As one student services manager described her, “Gloria constantly goes out of her way to make those of us in Dey Hall have a pleasant and clean stay while in this building.”

An administrative manager credited Fortune for the exemplary manner in which she performs her tasks and for her outstanding attendance record. One professor who shares office space in the building wrote how she is “reliant on Gloria’s attentiveness every day.”

Hines

For more than 40 years, Hines has been a steady presence in the University Cashier’s Office and, as the director of student accounts described, a model of service to the University.

“She is loyal and hardworking. She exhibits a consistent and uncompromising standard of service to our students. She is meticulous and careful. Charlotte talks to many students and their parents on a daily basis, always going the extra mile to assist them.”

Houston

One writer of a nominating letter may have captured Houston’s contribution best by saying that there is no one, especially minority students having a connection to the Department of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, where Houston has worked the past nine years, “who has not been touched or encouraged by Ms. Houston’s impeccable character, loving heart and dynamic spirit.”

Past and current students have been moved by her ability to motivate, mentor and challenge them to better themselves. One person said the “sheer electric nature” of her speeches rivals the great orators of times past in their power to inspire.

Miller

Miller has served Carolina sports with loyalty, dedication and integrity for nearly 30 years and now supervises the University’s Olympic sports programs. During her years as coach of the volleyball team, she led the Tar Heels to four ACC titles and five post-season appearances. She also served as softball coach for two seasons and was named the department’s athletic business manager in 1979. She was promoted to her current position as senior associate athletic director in 1987.

Although Miller retired from coaching in 1983, “She can be spotted in the stands at most home games and, win or lose, is there afterward to offer congratulations or support to the players and coaches,” one nominator wrote.

Peacock

Simply put, Peacock’s service to the University surpasses award criteria and his contributions are too numerous to measure. During a career at Carolina that now exceeds 30 years, Peacock has served on the Faculty Council, including a stint as chair in which he worked with committees related to the needs of women and minorities.

He was commended for his outstanding work with the Center for the Study of the American South and his role in bringing the University national and international acclaim by serving as president of the American Anthropological Association and winning its highest award. In their support of the University and its community, Peacock and his wife “represent the best our University has to offer at all levels,” a nominator said.

York

York joined the biology department in 1974 and has since remained “an integral and critically important part of the department,” a nominator wrote. During his tenure, he has redefined his role and advanced through reclassification to his current position as laboratory/facilities manager.

As one person described York, “His institutional memory is of incalculable value, his vision is integral to our ability to stay at the forefront as technology advances, and his ability to work with faculty, staff, students and the various units on campus to move a project along is without compare.”

The late C. Knox Massey of Durham created the Massey awards in 1980 to recognize “unusual, meritorious or superior contributions” by University employees. In 1984, he 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 and Carolina Seminars, which promote interdisciplinary thought, study, discussion and intellectual interchange on a wide variety of topics.