Accomplished poet and scholar Dr. Herbert Martin will perform at UNA March 7 at 6 p.m. in the GUC Performance Center, where he will recite works from poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar, as well as some of his own works.

Martin, a Birmingham native, has had a highly prolific career. He has written eight volumes of poetry and edited three volumes of works from the post-Civil War, African-American poet, Paul Lawrence Dunbar.

In addition, he has also written the libretti for two operas, received three honorary degrees from various Ohio institutions, earned writing awards and has recently narrated William Grant Still’s “Symphony No. 1: The Afro-American.”

“This man was born in our backyard,” said Eleanor McClellan, music library specialist. “This is the first time he’s been invited back to Alabama since he became a well-recognized poet and scholar. When I called him and asked him to come back, he was overjoyed.”

At the event entitled “Paul Lawrence Dunbar: The Eyes of the Poet,” Martin will be reading the works of Dunbar, along with his own poetry. After reciting Dunbar’s “He Had His Dream,” Dr. Terrance Brown, UNA director of vocal studies, will sing Leo Hoiby’s “I Have a Dream,” which is a symphonic piece that takes parts from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historic speech.

Though it will be an organized program, the event will likely take on a freeform style.

“We don’t want to tie him to anything,” said McClellan. “One thing he really likes to do is to talk to the audience.”

Martin currently holds the title of professor emeritus at the University of Dayton, where he has taught for 30 years, along with the title of Poet in Residence. He also taught at the Antioch Writer’s Conference for several years.

“He’s an Alabama poet and it’s important for people in the state to see anyone who has gone out, done things and been really successful in their field,” said McClellan. “It tells that kid on the corner that thinks, ‘I can’t be a poet. I’m from Alabama,’ My gosh, yes you can!”