$10.5 million gift to Miami University Writing Center.

Anderson, Paul

We are very excited about the opportunities provided by the magnificent gift of $10.5 million that two alums, Roger and Joyce Howe, have provided the Center for Writing Excellence here at Miami University (Ohio). Among other things, the Howes' generosity and vision will enable the Center for Writing Excellence to expand our faculty development, research, and assessment efforts. We will also open a new student writing center, which will coordinate with the three longstanding writing centers at our Oxford, Ohio, campus: the Howe Writing Initiative in our business school, the Windate Writing Center created for our School of Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Writing Center in the Bernard B. Rinella, Jr. Learning Center (<http://www.muohio.edu/saf/lrn>). Later this fall, we expect to begin a national search for a director of the new student writing center, which will open in fall 2007.

This is the second time the Howes have made a major contribution in support of writing at Miami. Ten years ago, their first gift of $1.8 million enabled us to hire Kate Ronald as the Roger and Joyce L. Howe Professor of English and Director of the Howe Writing Initiative. Kate's outstanding work with business faculty and students was a major factor in persuading the Howes to extend their commitment to writing. In addition to our good fortune in having such wonderful alums, we are also blessed with a president, provost, and other administrators who are strong advocates for writing. For more details about the Howes' gift and about Miami's deep commitment to student writing, you are invited to visit our website: <http://www.muohio.edu/cwe>.

Paul Anderson

Miami University