FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas will host a memorial service for the late Dr. Nola Royster Wednesday, May 9 at 7 p.m. in the Arkansas Union Ballroom.

Royster, director of Career Services at the University of Arkansas, died Saturday at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville due to complications with diabetes, influenza and pneumonia.

After earning her doctorate of education in adult education from the U of A in 1993, Royster was appointed in July 1993 as director of the University of Arkansas Career Development Center and adjunct associate professor in the College of Education.

Much of her work was educating students, job development and employer relations, and her research studied the impact of diversity training on corporate, civic and public sector organizations. She insisted that working with young people was not treated as a job since it was her passion.

"Dr. Royster was one of the most effective and enthusiastic career development officers I have met in my 33 years in academia," said Bob Smith, UA provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. "She brought extraordinary energy and spirit to all of her interactions with students, faculty and staff. She was clearly one-in-a million and will be greatly missed at the University of Arkansas."

She served the National Conference for Community and Justice as a consultant for Workplace Diversity training, where clients cross all sectors of the community including police departments, school districts, municipalities, chambers of commerce, government, business and industry.

Royster spent 12 years as public relations manager with Southwestern Bell Telephone developing partnerships between business and secondary education, and she was a former high school guidance counselor with North Carolina and Missouri public schools.

Her civic affiliations included responsibilities as the Arkansas Collegiate Coordinator of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., United Way of Washington County Board of Directors, NCCJ Board and the Fayetteville Rotary, while serving as past president of the Arkansas Council for Women in Higher Education. She was a member of the American Association for Pupil Personnel, American College Placement Council, the Southwest Association of Colleges and Employers and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

Royster is survived by her mother, Bernice Holt of Little Rock, and two sisters, Lottie Schackelford of Little Rock and Curtistine Miller of Chicago. Flowers, cards and gifts may be sent to her family at 1720 Abigail Ave., Little Rock, Ark., 72204.

The Holt Family has given permission for the establishment of the Dr. Nola Holt Royster Memorial Scholarship Fund on the University of Arkansas campus. To contribute to the fund, make checks payable to the U of A Foundation, Nola Royster Scholarship and mail to: UA Development Office, 200 Hotz Hall, Fayetteville, AR 72701.