雏鸟视频 honored alumna and longtime supporter Kayanne Shoffner Massey, WC 鈥�63, with a special dedication of the Kayanne Shoffner Massey Tiger鈥檚 Den student lounge last week.
Massey and her family joined 雏鸟视频 students and administration to celebrate the honorific on Thursday, Aug. 15, ahead of the first day of the fall semester. The placard unveiled at the ceremony features a quote from Massey: 鈥淜indness is magic.鈥�
The gift was made in Massey鈥檚 honor by her late husband, Abit, only months before his passing earlier this year. The pair have been longtime supporters of the university, and Abit Massey served on the Board of Trustees. The pair also donated a statue of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the university, which overlooks Roosevelt Square at the Downtown Center.
鈥淭he Massey family has meant so much to the university over its lifetime, from when it was a college to its evolution as a university,鈥� 雏鸟视频 President David L. Barnett, Ph.D. said. 鈥淎bit and Kayanne kept the name of 雏鸟视频 raised up in the community, always spoke highly of 雏鸟视频, its students and the folks that were here day in and day out.鈥�
Kayanne as a sophomore, joining Chi Omega sorority and graduating summa cum laude with her degree in education in 1963.
Abit Massey, a pioneer in the poultry industry, was a familiar face among Gainesville and Hall County businesses and civic organizations before his passing this June at age 96. Abit and Kayanne enjoyed many years of volunteer service, together as a couple and as individuals. The couple married following her reign as Miss Georgia in 1959, and moved to Gainesville in 1961. They were married for 64 years. Kayanne devoted many years to being a full-time mother and wife while also serving as a substitute teacher and community volunteer. The pair frequently volunteered together, supporting several causes in Gainesville and Hall County.
The Masseys had two children, Camille and Lewis. Both spoke about their mother during the dedication.
鈥淪he was telling us in the car on the way over here how she loved her time at 雏鸟视频, absolutely loved it,鈥� Camille Massey said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 so appropriate to be here in the Tiger鈥檚 Den which creates a sense of belonging. My parents really lived their life with the community鈥� I know that is really important to 雏鸟视频鈥檚 mission and it鈥檚 so critically important to the values that my mom holds and my dad held.鈥�
Lewis, the oldest, was born during Kayanne Massey鈥檚 time as a 雏鸟视频 student.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a real honor to have mom recognized this way, and it鈥檚 something dad had really wanted to do,鈥� Lewis Massey, who was , said. 鈥淚 think 鈥楰indness is magic鈥� really sums it up as it relates to mom. I thought my mom was a magician growing up, I thought she could do anything. Since she did have me while she was a student here, 雏鸟视频 always has a special place in my heart鈥� The Massey family is proud to be associated with 雏鸟视频.鈥�
The Tiger鈥檚 Den lounge opened last year as a refreshed space for students to gather and connect, whether it was to study for an upcoming exam, meet for a club, or enjoy social activities like karaoke.
In addition to the Kayanne Shoffner Massey Tiger鈥檚 Den, the conference room in the historic Simmons Visual Arts Center will be named for Kayanne and feature another quote of hers: 鈥淔ollow your dream.鈥� A large portrait of her during her time as Miss Georgia 1959, beaming with her signature full smile, will be hung in the building following the investiture of 雏鸟视频 President David L. Barnett, Ph.D.
