Drake University announced today that Franklin “Pitch” Johnson Jr. and his wife, Catherine, have made a $2 million commitment to endow and establish the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. The new position will honor the memory of Pitch Johnson Sr., who served as head track and field coach at Drake from 1928 to 1940 and Relays director from 1933 to 1940. In addition to the $2 million endowment, the Johnsons contributed to the recent renovation of Drake Stadium. Their latest gift will be used to enhance the Relays, attract outstanding track and field athletes and strengthen the competitiveness of Drake’s track and field program. Brian Brown, Drake Relays director since 2005, will be the inaugural holder of the position.

Home sales rose more than expected in March, reversing three months of declines, as government incentives drew in buyers and kicked off what’s expected to be a strong spring selling season. The National Association of Realtors says sales of previously occupied homes rose 6.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.35 million last month, the highest level since December. February’s sales figures were revised downward slightly to 5.01 million. Sales had been expected to rise about 5.2 percent to 5.28 million, according to economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network LLC (WFAFN), the independent brokerage arm of Wells Fargo & Co., today announced the expansion of its regional network from six to nine regions with the appointment of several new regional leaders. Through recruiting efforts and growth of existing WFAFN practices, client assets have increased 600 percent to $40 billion since the brokerage arm was established in 2001. In 2009 alone, 160 financial advisors joined WFAFN, expanding its ranks to more than 800 advisors in 47 states including Alaska and Hawaii, the company said.

Metro Waste Authority Inc. (MWA) presented its 2010 Environmental Stewardship Awards yesterday to three Greater Des Moines residents and four organizations. Environmental advocate Robin Fortney, former Polk City Mayor Mary Burton and Channel 13 reporter Megan Reuther were honored during MWA’s Annual Dinner held at the Prairie Meadows Event Center in Altoona. Drake University, Iowa Health System, Wells Fargo & Co. and Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. were also recognized.

As part of its America Rebuilds campaign, Principal Financial Group Inc. will sponsor a keynote address at the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) Annual Conference, which begins today in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Financial expert and best-selling author Jean Chatzky will speak during the three-day conference. The WPO is made up of more than 1,400 women presidents and CEOs of privately held, multimillion-dollar companies.