When UD Professor Eric Street was installed as the Graul Endowed Chair in Arts and Languages last spring, he made mention of a new twist to campus and community art events: 'I hereby declare 2005-2006 the Year of Diverse Voices in commemoration of the Paul Laurence Dunbar centenary.'

What does this mean exactly for the UD campus and surrounding Dayton community? Year of Diverse Voices is a theme for campus art performances throughout the academic year, commemorating the centennial of the death of Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Born in Dayton in 1872, Dunbar was the first African-American to gain national fame as a poet. He was the son of ex-slaves and was the only black student in his class at Dayton Central High School.

Dunbar was prolific in his short 33 years of life, writing stories, novels, plays, songs, essays and a great deal of poetry that has warranted enormous praise. His style encompassed both the standard English of classical poets and the evocative dialect of the turn-of-the-century black community in the United States.

Now, 100 years after his death, Dunbar's work still hasn't lost its significance to society.

'Joining with us in this observance will be a number of community groups,' said Street. 'Including the Dunbar House, Wright State University, Sinclair Community College, Central State University, Dayton Opera, and DCDC (The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company).'

This past Sunday, a free faculty music recital was held in Sears Recital Hall to kick off the Year of Diverse Voices art series. Musical performers from the faculty were joined by UD professor emeritus of English Herbert Martin, who read and performed Dunbar poems.

On Nov. 3, 'An Evening with Paul Laurence Dunbar' will be held in Boll Theatre to honor the poetry and songs of Dunbar. Martin, a poet who has dedicated much of his professional life to the study of Dunbar, will cover the life and work of the late African-American poet.

In December, Sinclair Community College's English department will sponsor the 21st Annual Paul Laurence Dunbar Poetry Prize. Then, in January, the Paul Laurence Dunbar House in Dayton will launch a yearlong exhibition of the life and works of Dunbar, featuring two and three-dimensional objects. Visitors will be treated to interpretive readings, creative thinking activities, musical presentations and writing competitions.

It may be months away, but another Dunbar festivity worth mentioning is DCDC's February performance in the Masonic Temple. Titled 'In the Spirit of',' the show will feature an interpretation of Dunbar's work through dancers collaborating with a mass community choir in the background. For anyone who hasn't experienced DCDC before, it's definitely worth seeing.

There are about 15 different events scheduled clear through next October to celebrate Dunbar, giving UD students and staff plenty of chances to participate. As Street enthusiastically said in his speech, 'I hope to see you all at some of our events!'