OXFORD — U.S. Air Force Gen. Joseph Ralston, supreme commander of NATO Forces in Europe, will speak Thursday at Miami University, his alma mater.

        Gen. Ralston, a native of Norwood who earned a chemistry degree from Miami in 1965, also is commander in chief of the U.S. European Command. His lecture, 4 p.m. Thursday in Hall Auditorium, is free and open to the public.

        His topic is “American Traditions,” but university officials said they didn't know the planned text. Holly Wissing, a Miami spokeswoman, said it's not clear whether the speech will focus on the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, but she anticipates the topic will be brought up in the question-and-answer session after the lecture.

        Gen. Ralston, a graduate of Norwood High School, joined the Air Force through Miami's ROTC program. A Vietnam veteran, he held influential staff and management positions at every level of the Air Force.

        As senior U.S. military officer for Europe, he heads a combined command responsible for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

        Before taking the European Command, Gen. Ralston was the second-highest ranking U.S. military officer as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Former Norwood Schools Superintendent James Ballinger, a high school classmate and college roommate of Gen. Ralston, said: "He's very down to earth and thoughtful. Gen. Ralston is still the same person even with all the titles behind his name.”

        Mr. Ballinger plans to attend the lecture with his wife.

        The university expects that nearly 200 Miami ROTC members will attend in full uniform and will sit in a special section of the auditorium. The university also said that the ROTC will make a presentation of colors.

        Lt. Col. Joseph Martinelli of Miami University ROTC said that Gen. Ralston's planned visit to the campus has been inspirational for the cadets and gives them motivation to succeed when they leave Miami.

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