The history of UALR – from its beginnings in borrowed high school classrooms to becoming a national leader in the metropolitan university movement – is the topic of Dr. C. Fred Williams’ “Legacies and Lunch” lecture from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the Darragh Center in the Central Arkansas Library System’s main branch, 100 Rock Street.

Williams, a professor of history at UALR and author of “The People’s College,” will present the first in a series of talks on Arkansas’ four-year colleges and universities.

Created as Little Rock Junior College and expanded with four-year programs as Little Rock University, the institution became UALR in 1969 with 3,500 students. Now with approximately 12,000 full- and part-time students, UALR offers courses of study that vary from social work to nanotechnology.

The event is free and open to the public. No reservations are required. Guests are invited to bring their lunches, and drinks will be provided. For more information, contact 501.918.3049.