Outstanding Service at Carolina

In 1984, C. Knox Massey joined the families of his son, Knox Massey Jr., and daughter, Kay Massey Weatherspoon, to create the Massey-Weatherspoon fund.

Income from the fund supports the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award, one of the most prestigious distinctions for Carolina faculty and staff. The award recognizes “unusual, meritorious or superior contributions” by University employees.

In 2021, the Massey Award recognized eight employees, rather than the usual six, given their exceptional efforts during the global COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the Massey Award recipients, Dr. Mario Ciocca, has been at Carolina for 22 years and serves as chief medical officer for Carolina’s 28 varsity sports teams. Ciocca, who oversees one of the most respected sports medicine departments in the country, spearheaded efforts that allowed 800 student-athletes to stay safe and continue to compete during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each winner, selected through a campus-wide nomination process, receives an award citation and a $10,000 stipend supported by the Massey-Weatherspoon fund.

Read the complete Carolina Story to learn more about the 2021 Massey Award recipients …

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