The UALR Department of Facilities Management hosted its annual Holiday Luncheon on Friday, Dec. 19, and honored employees who are 2014 graduates of the university.

The 2014 graduates, which include Tracy Banks, Marlon Willis, and Jason Ryland, were introduced by Clark Harris, who is himself a former employee of Facilities Management and is now pursuing a master’s degree at UALR.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in English, Harris left his job as a custodial worker for Facilities Management to become a graduate assistant in the UALR Academic Success Center’s reading lab.

Referencing the scholarships that enable Facilities Management staff to enroll in college courses, Harris said he was honored to “pay it forward” and help recognize the latest round of employees to benefit from an education at UALR.

The graduates donned their cap and gowns to have their picture taken with the many corporate sponsors who help make the scholarship fund possible for employees of Facilities Management.