Articles by Mike Rhodes

May is National Historic Preservation Month, Help Preserve Cornerstone Center for the Arts

By Cornerstone board of directors— MUNCIE, IN—2024 is off to a great start for Cornerstone Center for the Arts. We began the year by announcing that CCA successfully raised $22,000 at the end of last year, during our December fundraiser. We also secured during the first quarter $50,000 in grant funding alone. The community’s generous support has put us on the right track. However, we know our work is not over. In honor of May being National Historic Preservation Month, we are doing a fundraiser to support Cornerstone. Your donation will help cover the maintenance and preservation costs of our…

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Boyce Systems Marks Milestone with 150 Indiana Schools Adopting Cloud-Based ERP

By Casey Stanley— MUNCIE, IN— Boyce, a leading provider of cloud-based financial solutions, announced today that more than 150 Indiana public school systems have implemented its Boyce Cloud software. This marks a significant step in enhancing financial management within educational institutions through innovative technology. This year alone, two of Indiana’s top 20 largest school districts are in the process of implementing Boyce Cloud, underscoring its commitment to top-tier educational finance optimization. Boyce expects both customers to convert to the cloud-based ERP software by the end of the year. “Our commitment to our customers in educational finance continues as we celebrate…


Visit Muncie Announces LaShanta Vaughn as Executive Director

By Visit Muncie, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—The Board of Directors of Visit Muncie, Incorporated, formerly and more widely known as The Muncie Visitors Bureau, proudly announces the hiring of LaShanta Vaughn as its Executive Director.  Vaughn stepped into the role April 22. For the last five years, she held positions of Sales Manager and then Director of Sales at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie.  “We could not be happier to have LaShanta leading our county’s tourism efforts,” said Jarod Walls, President of the Board of Visit Muncie. “She has been selling our community for convention and hotel business for years,…


Ball Brothers Foundation Welcomes New Program Officer Dan Wolfert

By Jud Fisher— MUNCIE, IN— Ball Brothers Foundation is pleased to announce that Dan Wolfert will join the Foundation’s team as a new Program Officer. His role with the foundation begins June 3. “We are excited to welcome Dan to the Ball Brothers Foundation team,” said Jud Fisher, the foundation’s president and chief executive officer. “Dan’s hiring concluded a national search of highly qualified candidates. We were impressed by his understanding of the area in which we operate, his local connections, and his community volunteer work.” Wolfert, currently vice president of development and marketing at Hillcroft Services, Inc., a local…


Kia of Muncie Honored as Exclusive Member of Kia America’s President’s Club

Local Dealer Chris Hutton Recognized for Exceptional Customer Service and Sales Success  By John Weis— MUNCIE, IN — Chris Hutton and his dealership, Kia of Muncie, have been named by Kia America as one of only 50 dealerships in the United States to earn a spot in the brand’s prestigious 2023 President’s Club. Selected from the nationwide network of nearly 800 retailers, the Kia President’s Club recognizes dealers that have achieved the highest overall sales volume and provided outstanding customer satisfaction. “This award is only possible due to the efforts of our exceptional Kia of Muncie team,” said Hutton. “Each…


Delaware County High School Athletics Awards Show to Debut This May

By Jon Anderson— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Sports Commission is thrilled to announce the inaugural Delaware County High School Athletics Awards Show. The event will take place at Emens Auditorium on May 29th, 2024, at 6:00 PM. This exciting new ceremony aims to celebrate the exceptional talents and achievements of high school athletes across Delaware County. The Delaware County High School Athletics Awards will recognize the hard work, dedication, and success of student-athletes in every varsity sport. The public is invited to participate by nominating their choices for “Player of the Year” in each varsity sport. Nominations can be submitted through…


Ball Stores Exhibition Opens at Minnetrista Museum and Gardens

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—The much-anticipated Ball Stores exhibition opened on April 27, 2024, inviting visitors to embark on a journey through the cherished history of one of Muncie’s most beloved institutions. Located in the Center Building’s Heritage Gallery, this immersive experience promises to reignite fond memories and celebrate the enduring legacy of Ball Stores, which captured the hearts of residents for over five decades. Prepare to be captivated by a mesmerizing display of vintage photographs and objects, showcasing the diverse departments and enticing merchandise that made Ball Stores a cornerstone of the community. From its iconic brown plaid motif…


Indiana Academy and Burris Laboratory School Recognized by U.S. News & World Report

By University Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities and Burris Laboratory School have reaffirmed their positions as leading high schools in Indiana, according to the latest rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. In the “2024 Best U.S. High Schools” listing, the Indiana Academy secured the No. 2 spot in the state, while Burris Laboratory School climbed two spots to No. 12, continuing their tradition of excellence. Both institutions are operated by Ball State University’s Teachers College. “This recognition underscores the unwavering dedication of our students, faculty, and staff in upholding academic excellence,”…


Sherry Adkins is Muncie Artists Guild’s Artist of the Month for May 2024

By Jill Palumbo & Sherry Adkins— MUNCIE, IN—Growing up in the countryside of Indiana, surrounded by fields, forests and wildlife instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature. Often, I would have a front row seat to the deer that wander into the back yard, a view of the many birds that would gather at the bird feeders, and the families of raccoons that would climb up the apple trees for a snack. As an adult, I have a sense of peace and a strong connection to God being in nature. I often admired the natural details and textures in…


Yorktown Community Schools School Board Honored by Indiana School Boards Association

By Jo Cox, YCS— YORKTOWN, IN—The Yorktown Community Schools School Board has been recognized by the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) with an Exemplary Governance Award (EGA) for calendar year 2023 for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to professional learning and student success. The Exemplary Governance Awards (EGA) are conferred annually to school boards across four levels of distinction. Board awards are based on points earned by each member for attending ISBA seminars, workshops, conferences, and other learning events, as well as the board’s completion of certain additional criteria, such as a retreat with an outside facilitator and goal setting to…