MIAMI - Miami University has extended a formal offer to Richard Campbell, professor and former director of the journalism school at Middle Tennessee State University, to become director of the school's new journalism program.

Reed Anderson, chairman of the search committee and associate dean in the college of arts and science, would not disclose terms of the offer. He said he expects to hear from Campbell next week.

Campbell's credentials include a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and a textbook on mass communications.

Gateway gets approvalfor nursing degree

GATEWAY - The Kentucky Board of Nursing has given Gateway Community and Technical College approval to begin offering an associate degree of nursing. It marks the final step in the formal process for Gateway to begin offering the highly demanded program, officials say.

Interested students can pick up an application at Gateway's Edgewood campus, 790 Thomas More Parkway. Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The program will be limited to 35 to 40 students, who will begin coursework this fall.

For information, visit www.gateway.kctcs.edu.

Step group to perform at XU

XAVIER - Step Afrika!, a collaborative project between young artists from the United States and the South Africa-based Soweto Dance Theatre, will perform 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at Xavier University's Gallagher Student Center theater.

The project highlights the African-American fraternity and sorority art form of stepping and its link to traditional South African dance.

The event is free to the public.

HUC to offer interfaith class

HUC - A new class will be offered at the Adult Interfaith Academy at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Rabbi Ken Ehrlich, dean of the college, will teach "And a River Runs through it: Three Tales of Fish, Fishing, Fishermen and Religion." The course will examine the religious dimensions of the Biblical book of Jonah, Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea and Norman MacLean's A River Runs Through It.

The class will be offered on Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m. March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 12. The cost is $50.

Information: (513) 221-1875, ext. 353.

Cincinnati State, UC in culinary program

CINCINNATI STATE - Cincinnati State Technical and Community College and the University of Cincinnati will offer a new bachelor's degree culinary program this fall with the opening of Cincinnati State's new Midwest Culinary Institute.

The arrangement will create the first culinary program of its type in Ohio and only the third in the United States, school officials said.

Those enrolled in the new program will be considered students at both schools. While working toward an associate degree at Cincinnati State, students can live in UC dorms. Students who complete the associate degree will fulfill the first two years of the bachelor's degree. Students can continue, earning the bachelor's degree at UC.

-Kristina Goetz

E-mail kgoetz@enquirer.com