TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Dr. Hank Lazer, professor of English and associate provost at The University of Alabama, will present the prestigious Duffy Lecture at The University of Notre Dame on Nov. 14.

Lazer’s Duffy Lecture will be on the topic “Is There a Distinctive Jewish Poetics? Several? Many? Is There Any Question?”

There will be two Duffy Lecturers this year, Lazer and poet/critic Michael Heller, who will address the topic of Jewish Poetics and each give a poetry reading as well.

The Duffy Lecture is an annual event that honors Notre Dame professor Joseph P. Duffy (1924-1988), who taught international modernism.

Previous Duffy Lecturers have included Seamus Heaney (Nobel Laureate), Stephen Greenblatt, Arnold Rampersad, Marjorie Perloff and Peter Stallybrass.

Lazer has published 12 books of poetry and has given talks and readings in the United States, France, Spain, China and Canada. His work “The New Spirit” was nominated for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize.

Lazer’s next project, his first collection of essays in 12 years, will be published this spring as “Lyric & Spirit: Selected Essays, 1996-2008.” The new book collects many of his essays on the prospects for an innovative spiritual poetry.

Lazer, a 2006 Walter R. Guyton Award winner for distinguished service to UA students, joined the University in 1977 as an English professor. He served as assistant dean for humanities and fine arts in the College of Arts and Sciences from 1992-1998.

Lazer became assistant vice president for undergraduate programs and services in 1998 and served until 2006. He helped establish the Math Technology Learning Center, Capstone Scholars Day, the Advisors Council, the UA Arts Council, Freshman Seminars, Active and Collaborative Learning grants for faculty, the UA Freshman Connection and the UA Family Connection.

As UA Associate Provost, Lazer oversees Creative Campus, the UA Press, “Alabama Heritage” magazine, the University Museums and the Office for Disability Services. He represents Academic Affairs NCAA committees and coordinates the Capstone Convocation for new students and faculty.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.