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The 2008-2009 Diversity Lecture Series, a long-standing tradition of the University of Dayton, will focus on politics, faith, and songs of justice. The lineup includes media correspondents and gospel singers, all of whom are designed to further the university's goal of preparing its students for the world they face upon graduation.

"It's a diverse world," said Daniel J. Curran, UD president. "We are creating an educational environment that parallels the world the students will depart to once they graduate. At the University of Dayton, they will learn to see the world through different eyes."

The series will begin with CNN correspondent Soledad O'Brien, 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 10. O'Brien serves as an anchor and special correspondent for CNN: Special Investigations Unit, and is covering this year's presidential race. Most recently, she reported for "CNN Presents: Black in America," a special report revealing the state of black America 40 years after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

Gideon Yago, a news correspondent for MTV, and Reza Aslan, author of "No God but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam," will come to town for a speech at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 11. Yago and Aslan tour college campuses together, exploring the intersection of faith, politics and society in the Middle East.

Both talks by O'Brien and Yago and Aslan will be at the Kennedy Union Ballroom on UD's campus, and are free and open to the public.

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, who made history as the first female bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, will be keynote speaker at two Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. events on Jan. 19 and 20, as a collaboration between the University of Dayton and the Dayton Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

McKenzie, author of "Not Without a Struggle: Leadership Development for African American Women in Ministry," will speak at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Holiday Celebration and Presidential Banquet at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the Dayton Convention Center; she also will headline the University of Dayton's annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 20 in the Thomas J. Frericks Athletic and Convocation Center on campus.

The series will be capped off with a performance by Grammy-award winning a capella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock, 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. The all-female group sings of peace and social justice in music that ranges from traditional gospel hymns to hip hop. Tickets for this concert start at $15, and are available by calling (937) 228-3630 or (937) 229-2545 for ticket information.

Past Diversity Series speakers include Andrew Young, Coretta Scott King, Spike Lee, Kirk Franklin, Clarence Page, Nikki Giovanni, Azar Nafisi and Johnnetta B. Cole.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2403 or ldempsey@DaytonDailyNews.com.