Wesley NcNair will expand students’ minds by conducting a reading of his poetry today at 4 p.m. in the Tarble Arts Center.

McNair is coming as a part of the annual Allen Neff Memorial Poetry Reading.

This year’s poetry reading is one of the major events on the English department’s visiting writers’ calendar, said Bruce Guernesey, professor of English.

“The purpose of this event is to encourage students who are interested in writing poetry,” Guernsey said. “The reading will focus on celebrating the forgotten people of New England.”

McNair, a New England poet, will be making his first appearance at Eastern by delivering the reading.

McNair’s most recent works include “My Brother Running,” “Talking in the Dark” and the forthcoming “Fire Poems.”

His poems have appeared in over forty anthologies and textbooks, and he has received numerous fellowships and awards for his publications.

McNair has also contributed to television and won an Emmy Award for writing a script for a PBS special on Robert Frost.

“This will give students a chance to hear good writing by a poet who is concerned for other human beings that are not usually recognized,” Guernsey said.

A book sale will be held during the poetry reading for those interested in purchasing McNair’s poetry.

The poetry reading was first established in 1978 in remembrance of the late English professor Allen Neff, a press release stated.

The Allen Neff Memorial Poetry Reading is free and everyone is encouraged to attend.