UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS NAMES DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Melissa Banks, former assistant director of special events at the University of Arkansas, has been promoted to director of special events.

"I am honored and enthusiastic about the appointment of my position as director of special events," Banks said. "Event planning is like a jigsaw puzzle, only successful and complete when the planning and components fit together. I am challenged by each event our office produces and look forward to working in the capacity of director during the upcoming year."

As director, Banks will report to G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement. She will be responsible for events and activities that involve donors and special friends of the U of A, donor recognition programs, and stewardship of gifts and endowments.

She will coordinate and produce special events for the Chancellor and the Office of University Advancement, support the Campaign for the Twenty-first Century, serve as a protocol advisor to all offices on campus and supervise the all-university special events calendar.

"We are thrilled to have Melissa as director of special events," Gearhart said. "Her previous experience in special events has equipped her for her well-deserved promotion. We look forward to furthering our partnership with her in the future."

Banks served as the assistant director of special events since February 1999 and has more than 10 years of experience in events planning, scheduling and coordination. Prior to joining the University, she served as scheduler for the campaign of U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln in Little Rock, worked as a staff assistant in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the White House in Washington, D.C. and spent four years in Washington, D.C. as legislative assistant for former U.S. Representative Beryl Anthony, Jr.

Banks is a native of Little Rock and an alumna of Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Va.