Articles by Mike Rhodes

Scene from the 2021 WIBU ATHENA Awards Ceremony. This year's event will be held at Horizon Convention Center on November 16. Photo provided

Non-Profit November 8, 2022

WIBU Announces Finalists for Leadership Awards

By Jessica Shrout, Board of Directors, WIBU— MUNCIE, IN—Women In Business Unlimited, WIBU, has announced finalists in three categories for the 2022 ATHENALeadership Awards. Nominees for the ATHENA Leadership Award include Allison Robbins, Brenda Williamson, Dr. Melissa Gentry, Jennifer Gibson, Katie Lehman, Kourtney McCauliff, Krista Wise, Dr. Lee AnnKwiatkowski, Ren’a Wagner, and Traci Lutton. Nominees for the ATHENA Young Professional include Dr. Jean Marie Place, Brittany Pickett, Dr. Dominyse Carey, Jessica Rosales, and Kylee Eller. Shafer Leadership Academy is the recipient for…

Read More
Learn about computer security best practices for this holiday season. Photo by graphicstock.

Business November 8, 2022

Northwest Bank Shares Best Practices for Fraud Protection and Cybersecurity During Holidays

By Northwest Bank—  MUNCIE, IN— The busy holiday shopping season is right around the corner and Northwest Bank is reminding consumers of best practices to consider for added protection in today’s digital age. According to the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, cybercrimes increase each year during major holidays. And with consumers spending more than $200 billion dollars in online holiday shopping in 2021, cybersecurity remains a top concern heading into the upcoming holiday season. “At Northwest, our…

Entrepreneur Showcase Week banners greet visitors inside the lobby of the Innovation Connector. Photo provided

Business November 7, 2022

Announcing the Inaugural 2022 Entrepreneurs of the Year Award Winners

By Ted A. Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—Since May of this year, the Innovation Connector has been planning and preparing for Entrepreneur Showcase Week in Muncie.  As a reminder, this event is unique to the Muncie community, and no other community has attempted anything like this.  Entrepreneur Showcase Week comprises twenty workshops, panel discussions, discussion groups, and networking groups during one week – all at the Innovation Connector facility.  Because of our very supportive sponsors, all…

Pictured from left to right are Ball State graduates and noted media professionals: Laura Moorhead, Bernie Kohn, Lisa Renze, and Gene Policinski. The honors were announced during MediaFest22 journalism conference in Washington, D.C., held in late October. Photo provided

Education November 7, 2022

Ball State University Student Media Earns National Awards, Top Honors

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University’s student media recently earned numerous journalism and communications accolades and awards, including more than three dozen awards combined for Ball Bearings magazine, The Ball State Daily News, and the McKinley Avenue Agency—an on-campus student-run communications, media, and advertising agency. The honors were announced during MediaFest22 journalism conference in Washington, D.C., held Oct. 26-30. Additionally, three Ball State student publications— Ball Bearings (formerly Echo) magazine, The Ball State Daily News,…

Greater Muncie Habitat for Humanity's 2022 homeowner Charles joined by his brothers and sisters on his front porch. Photo provided by Muncie Habitat for Humanity.

Business November 4, 2022

AEP Foundation $100,000 Grant Supports Greater Muncie Indiana Habitat for Humanity

By Corey Ohlenkamp— MUNCIE, IN– The American Electric Power Foundation (AEP Foundation), upon the recommendation of Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Greater Muncie Indiana Habitat for Humanity to support the organization’s housing programs. Muncie Habitat for Humanity has been providing housing solutions to families in the community for 35 years with a clear mission of building homes, communities and hope. “All of us at Indiana Michigan Power want to see the residents within our…

Faculty and Students will soon receive Apple products as part of a campus-wide technology upgrade. Photo provided

Education November 4, 2022

Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County to Provide MacBooks and iPads to Faculty and Students 

By Jennifer Gasiorek— Apple Products will enhance the college experience. MUNCIE, IN– Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County is working toward a campus-wide technology upgrade that will provide faculty and students with Apple products and services. As part of its efforts to increase student and community success, the campus will provide Mac and iPads to its educators and students, leveraging a common learning platform as part of their student-centered and strengths-focused vision for the Muncie-Henry County campus. “The best technology, along with professional development,…

Non-Profit November 4, 2022

Katie Lehman Named Indiana Youth Institute’s 2022 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year

By Ashley Haynes, Indiana Youth Institute— INDIANAPOLIS, IN  – Katie Lehman, Ready Readers Supervisor at the Muncie Public Library, has been awarded the 2022 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year Award by Indiana Youth Institute (IYI). Lehman has served as the Ready Readers Supervisor for Muncie Public Library (MPL) since 2016, when she developed the free, one-to-one literacy program. “I am humbled to receive the IYI’s 2022 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year Award,” said Lehman….

Non-Profit November 4, 2022

Registration for the EMPOWER Program Now Open 

By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN—Shafer Leadership Academy invites young professionals to invest in their success during an interactive virtual program to equip them with the skills, confidence, and connections to maximize their potential. Space is limited to 20 individuals, and the application deadline is Monday, Dec. 12. EMPOWER: Career Investment for Young Professionals involves 75-minute sessions each Wednesday for 10 weeks, from January 11-March 15, 2023. SLA Executive Director Mitch Isaacs said participants will focus on five key area of…

Ivy Tech's Cowan Road Advanced Technology Center. Photo provided

Education November 3, 2022

Muncie Manufacturing Alliance and Ivy Tech Community College Working Together to Build a Skilled, Educated Workforce

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Manufacturing Alliance (MMA), co-led by Stephen Brand, General Manager of Magna, and Todd Murray, President and CEO of Mursix Corporation, announced that the MMA is endorsing Ivy Tech Community College Muncie Campus as their exclusive educational resource for its members. Ivy Tech Muncie has committed to offer specialized programs to help local manufactures train encumbered employees, new hires, co-brand recruiting efforts, and provide professional development resources. Stephen Brand said, “The partnership with Ivy Tech…

Starship food delivery robots are pictured. Photo provided

Education November 2, 2022

Ball State University Introduces Starship Food Delivery Robots on Campus

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN—On Wednesday, Ball State University launched for use by its entire campus community Starship Technologies delivery robots. A fleet of 24 robots will deploy at Ball State—providing food, snacks, and drink delivery from a variety of dining locations on campus. “The Starship robots provide our students, faculty and staff, and campus visitors a safe and effective way to have food delivered to their location,” said Karen Adkins, senior director of auxiliary services for dining,…