FAYETTEVILLE -- Melissa Banks Cherry, who helped oversee visits by dignitaries to the University of Arkansas along with other university events for the last 15 years, will step down Sept. 30, a UA spokesman said.
Before a 2011 visit from the Dalai Lama, Cherry worked for more than a year to iron out details associated with the arrival of the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, said Sidney Burris, a UA English professor who helped with the visit.
Nearly 14,000 people heard the Dalai Lama speak at Bud Walton Arena about nonviolence and compassion.
Cherry "has a vast experience with handling people at his level," said Burris, director of UA's Fulbright College honors program. He praised her ability to quickly resolve any problems and communicate effectively, as well as her "extraordinary amount of grace."
She joined UA in 1999 as an assistant director of special events, then was promoted in 2001 to a director position. Earlier jobs included time as a staff assistant in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the White House.
Other campus visitors of note in the last 15 years include former U.S. President Bill Clinton -- with the former Arkansas governor appearing multiple times -- and former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, who spoke on campus in 2009.
In 2010, Ricardo Martinelli, a UA alumnus and at the time the sitting president of Panama, spoke at a luncheon held in his honor.
Cherry, 50, described her role as "behind-the-scenes" for such visits.
But she said she's enjoyed meeting dignitaries. Visitors connect the UA community to history, Cherry said.
"You hear these names all the time," she said. With campus visits, "the connection's been put together."
Cherry said she decided to step down to spend more time with her family, a decision unrelated to recent changes in leadership at UA. Cherry's salary is $95,977 annually as senior director of donor relations and special events, spokesman Mark Rushing said.
Cherry said she helped with the planning for the $450,000 gala kickoff event that took place Sept. 16 for Campaign Arkansas, the university's $1 billion fundraising drive.
The university "is a legacy that's built within our state," Cherry said. "I think that came across very strong" during the gala, she said.
Rushing said no interim director has yet been named to oversee special events. Burris said it's important for UA to have someone like Cherry as the university seeks wider recognition.
As UA "sort of grows in its global outreach, the person in Melissa's job is going to have to be someone who is comfortable and competent and skilled in dealing with people from all kinds of cultures, all kinds of places," Burris said.
Metro on 09/23/2016