Articles by Mike Rhodes

Lis McDonnell. Photo provided

Education March 9, 2023

Lis McDonnell Joins Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County Campus Board of Trustees

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN – Lis McDonnell’s first Campus Board of Trustees meeting will be April 18th at 8 a.m. at the John and Janice Fisher Building in Muncie, IN. She joins the Campus Board after a request by former board member, Eugene Whitehead. McDonnell represents the agricultural community for Delaware and Henry Counties, emphasizing the need for rural students gaining additional education to keep family farms productive into the future. Her focus is on providing rural students the opportunity…

Read More
Tami Silverman, IYI president and chief executive officer, speaks at the 2022 State of the Child in Muncie. Photo provided

Non-Profit March 9, 2023

Register Now for Muncie State of the Child, March 29th

By Juli Metzger—  MUNCIE, IN—Join Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) for an expert analysis of the latest child-focused data from their 2023 Indiana KIDS COUNT® Data Book on Wednesday, March 29 during IYI’s annual Muncie State of the Child presentation. This year, the event is followed by a special, two-hour grant clinic for youth serving organizations applying for the $45 million Lilly Endowment initiative, Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana (SYPI). Registration for each event is required. Indiana ranks 28th in the…

WaTasha Barnes Griffin is pictured and is Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Central Indiana. Photo provided

Non-Profit March 8, 2023

Embrace Equity On International Women’s Day, Wednesday March 8th

By Juli Metzger— MUNCIE, IN—International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. The day has occurred for well over a century, with the first​ ​IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Prior to this the​ Socialist Party of America, United Kingdom’s Suffragists and Suffragettes, and further groups campaigned for women’s…

Entertainment March 7, 2023

Orchestra Indiana Announces 2023-2024 Season

By Orchestra Indiana— MUNCIE, IN – Orchestra Indiana has announced details of its 2023-24 concert season with performances in Muncie’s Emens Auditorium and venues throughout East Central Indiana. Highlights include music from the Harry Potter films, Copland’s Appalachian Spring, a tribute to the Beatles, and Beethoven’s immortal 9th Symphony. Season ticket packages including all six programs in the Muncie area are on sale now through the Emens Auditorium Box Office. Call (765) 285-1539 between 10am – 5pm weekdays or email…

Former SHIFT participants pose in the "web of emotions," an interactive activity to explore complicated emotions around grief. Photo provided

Non-Profit March 7, 2023

Muncie-Area Volunteers Offer Support for Kids and Teens in Grief

By K. Aleisha Fetters— MUNCIE, IN—Grief is a hard journey at any stage of life. But it’s even harder — and more complicated — to navigate as a kid or teen.  Unfortunately, estimates show that one in five youth lose a loved one or friend before their 18th birthday. And 80% say it’s the hardest thing they’ve ever faced.  And the life-changing event becomes a major SHIFT in their world. To help support these youth, about a dozen community volunteers…

Non-Profit March 6, 2023

Foundational Leadership Program Returns: ‘Emergence’

Registration for the 2023 Emergence Program is Now Open By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN –  Shafer Leadership Academy (SLA), a local not-for-profit organization that provides inclusive leadership development so that people, organizations, and communities reach their full potential, is offering the 21st session of its signature leadership program. The program will run from April 4 to May 23, 2023. Emergence: Personal Foundations of Effective Leadership is SLA’s core leadership program. It is an eight-week highly interactive and engaging training opportunity…

Muncie Mayor Dan Ridenour is pictured giving his 3rd annual State of the City report at the Ball State Alumni Center. His slide presentation appeared on numerous television monitors circling the meeting room. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Government March 3, 2023

Muncie Mayor’s State of the City 2023: ‘The City is Strong’

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief, MuncieJournal.com— MUNCIE, IN—”The state of the city is strong.” That’s from the Honorable Mayor Dan Ridenour during his 3rd State of the City presentation. Mayor Ridenour gave a positive overview of the accomplishments his administration has made in the areas of finances, public safety and infrastructure. The event was held at the Ball State University Alumni Center. Ball Brothers Foundation CEO, Judd Fisher introduced the mayor prior to the mayor’s one hour presentation. Mayor Ridenour’s Powerpoint™ slides…

The Northwest bank branch on W. Jackson Street in Muncie is pictured. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business March 2, 2023

Northwest Bank Named One of America’s Best Midsize Employers for 2023

By Northwest Bank— WARREN, PA —Northwest Bank, a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, has been recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best Midsize Employers for 2023. The awards list ranks the 500 midsize employers that received the most recommendations from a survey of 45,000 American workers. Northwest Bank is 60th on the list. The prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider….

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded five local teachers Robert P. Bell Education grants totaling $1,973. These grants are awarded to teachers with innovative ideas, programs, or projects related to a classroom unit or lesson. East Washington Academy fifth-grade teacher Beth Buehler was awarded a Robert P. Bell Grant last year for a project to help her students visualize the interaction between the earth's spheres - geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Education, Non-Profit March 2, 2023

Community Foundation Awards Grants to Benefit Teachers

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – Five local teachers were awarded grants totaling $1,973.96 from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County in February through the Robert P. Bell Education Grants Program. Across the county, thousands of students benefit from Robert P. Bell Education Grants each year. Teachers often have instructional ideas they would like to implement in their classrooms. Sometimes, a lack of funds can prevent them from moving forward. Robert P. Bell Education Grants are awarded to…

Arts Place Inc. was the recipient of the first CEFTA grant in 2022 and was able to fund a lot of great opportunities for kids and adults.

Education February 28, 2023

Ball State University Accepting Proposals for 2023 Community Engagement for the Arts Grant

By Michelle Kinsey, Office of Community Engagement, Ball State University— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement is now accepting proposals for the 2023 Community Engagement for the Arts (CEFTA) Grant. This competitive grant program provides up to $35,000 annually to an East Central Indiana community arts-focused organization or program. Application deadline is 5 p.m. ET March 31. To apply for the grant or for more information, go to https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/community-engagement/arts-grant-application. The Community Engagement for the Arts Grant…