MIAMI - Alumnus Jack R. Anderson has presented Miami University with a $1.5 million gift to establish the Jack R. Anderson Professorship in Finance.

A national search will be conducted to bring a renowned scholar to the endowed position.

Anderson graduated from Miami in 1947 with a degree in accountancy and earned a master's degree from Columbia Business School in New York.

A previous gift from Anderson has allowed Miami to bring national leaders to campus through the Jack R. Anderson distinguished lecture series. This year's speaker was former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

XU student awarded ROTC distinction

XAVIER - Xavier University's Patrick Owsiak, 21, of New Berlin, Wis., was recently ranked 11th of 4,681 ROTC cadets nationwide on the Order of Merit list by the U.S. Army Cadet Command.

Annually, the command ranks senior cadets in order to assign job specialties as they prepare to be commissioned as 2nd lieutenants after graduation. This year, the command reviewed cadets from 270 universities.

The top 20 percent on that list will also earn the title of "distinguished military graduate" upon graduation. Owsiak, along with fellow Xavier cadets Patrick Hicks, 21, of Olmstead Falls, Ohio, and Eric Wicktora, 22, of Cleveland earned that status. Hicks and Wicktora both ranked in the top 10 percent in the country.

There are 16 cadets in Xavier's senior class. All are scheduled to receive their Army commissions May 14.

Learn how to take part in spring relay at UC

U. OF CINCINNATI - The university's Center for Community Engagement is asking students, faculty and staff to take part in the school's second annual Relay for Life fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society.

A Relay for Life rally will be held noon-2 p.m Dec. 3 in the Event Pavilion. Those who attend can register their teams and learn more about the 18-hour relay that will be held April 30-May 1 on Sigma Sigma Commons. Relay for Life raises money for cancer and research programs.

The rally will feature music, food and giveaways. For information on how to get involved, contact the UC Center for Community Engagement at (513) 556-1559.

Gateway Community to hold blood drive

GATEWAY - Community members are invited to join faculty, staff and students in donating blood during Gateway Community and Technical College's blood drive.

People can donate 2-4 p.m. today and Dec. 3 at the school's Edgewood campus, 790 Thomas More Parkway. Donations can also be made 9-11 a.m. Dec. 3 at the Highland Heights campus, 90 Campbell Drive.

Gateway Community is part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, which serves the commonwealth through 16 community and technical college districts that form a system of 62 campuses that are either open or under construction.

Information: (859) 441-4500.

Mount to host tours for potential students

MOUNT ST. JOSEPH - High school students and their parents are invited to the College of Mount St. Joseph 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Seton Center for Discovery Day.

Students can sample a college class, tour campus and eat lunch with faculty and students. Parents can also take home information about financial aid and other services the campus offers.

To register, call 244-4531 or (800) 654-9314, or register online at msj.edu. The event is free.

Kristina Goetz

Campus notes appears Friday in Metro. If your college or university has a news item you would like to see published, e-mail kgoetz@enquirer.com or fax 768-8340. Please include name and daytime phone in the correspondence.