Articles by Mike Rhodes

Inaugural class of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Ivy Tech, Muncie.

Education February 3, 2023

Ivy Tech’s First Class of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Completed

By Jennifer S. Gasiorek— MUNCIE, IN—In the 2021 fall semester, Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County started the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.  The program is a direct result of Ivy Tech Muncie’s response to a workforce need.  With the support of Optimus Primary, and Indiana University Ball Memorial Hospital, Ivy Tech launched this program in less than three years. “When we met with Ivy Tech to explain our local need for echocardiographers, their ability to work through accreditation, acquire the appropriate equipment and…

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Tim Pierce, new president and chief executive officer at Primetrust. Photo provided

Business February 2, 2023

PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union Announces New President and CEO

By Ben Polk— MUNCIE, IN—PrimeTrust Federal Union, serving Delaware County, Indiana, is proud to announce Tim Pierce as its new president and chief executive officer, effective January 17, 2023. Pierce’s career includes Indirect Lending Manager at TCU, Vice President of Operations at Afena, Regional Sales Rep with CUDL, Vice President of Operations and Lending at Ball State Credit Union, and most recently Assistant Vice President of Compliance and Education at the Indiana Credit Union League. At the League, Pierce’s primary…

Ball State University's Teachers College. Photo provided

Education February 2, 2023

Twelve BSU Programs Rank in Top 25 of U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 “Best Online Programs” List

By BSU Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Newest rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report showcase Ball State University’s national standing as a top provider of affordable online degree programs in high-demand fields. Ball State earned 12 top-25 rankings in U.S. News’ 2023 “Best Online Programs” list, an annual assessment of nearly 2,000 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered by institutions across the country. “For almost 25 years, Ball State University has been at the forefront…

Asia Wyatt was awarded the 2019 Patrick C. Botts Youth of the Year award at the 2020 Great Futures Dinner.

Non-Profit February 2, 2023

Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie’s ‘Great Futures Dinner’ To Be Held at Horizon Convention Center in March

By Amy Gibson— MUNCIE, IN—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie is excited to host its annual Great Futures Dinner on March 30, 2023 from 5:30-7:00 at the Horizon Convention Center. This year’s Great Futures Dinner themed “A Night at the Circus,” will be full of circus games, thrilling performers, delicious circus fare, and a showcase of club programming. A highlight of the night will be announcing the Pat C. Botts Youth of the Year where one Club member will…

A researcher is pictured using a pipette and microscope in the laboratory to study a sample.

Health January 31, 2023

IU School of Medicine Awarded $1.25 Million for Increasing Graduate Student Diversity

By Christina Griffiths— INDIANAPOLIS—A new $1.25 million grant will go toward providing new opportunities for graduate students typically underrepresented in biomedical science. The money is coming from the National Institutes of Health and is part of the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Program. “The goal of this program is to develop a more diverse group of scientists earning PhDs and create more inclusive training pathways and programs for students who are traditionally underrepresented in biomedical science programs,” said Tom…

Northwest. Banking made easy. Photo courtesy of Northwest Bank.

Business January 31, 2023

Northwest Bank Helps Customers Celebrate ‘National Financial Wellness Month’

By Northwest— MUNCIE, IN— Northwest Bank, a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, aims to help customers achieve their financial goals and prepare for what’s next through their online Financial Wellness Center, particularly in the month of January in honor of National Financial Wellness Month. Northwest Bank’s Financial Wellness Center supports consumers on their journey to financial wellness and provides educational articles on a variety of key financial wellness topics such as credit and…

Pictured from L-R: Mac McKinney with Jomo Williams, Saber and Bibi Bahrami, photo by David Herbert. Image courtesy of Smartypants.

Entertainment January 30, 2023

Documentary About Munsonians Nominated for Academy Award

By Chris Flook— MUNCIE, IN—The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced last week that Stranger at the Gate, a film featuring local Munsonians, was nominated for an Academy Award in the documentary short category. Stranger is up against The Martha Mitchell Effect, How Do You Measure a Year?, Haulout, and The Elephant Whisperers. The Academy presents the 95th Oscars on Sunday, March 12 at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. ABC will broadcast the award ceremony live. Produced by…

Artist rendering provided.

Business January 28, 2023

Indiana American Water Awards Grant to Muncie Children’s Museum

By Joe Loughmiller— American Water Charitable Foundation grant will support new interactive water exhibit. MUNCIE, IN— Indiana American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, and the American Water Charitable Foundation (AWCF) today announced it has awarded the Muncie Children’s Museum a State Strategic Grant of $20,000 to help build a new water exhibit at the museum. The project includes incorporating interactive educational activities that explore the White River and local water resources and their significance in East Central Indiana. “We’re…

Illustration provided

Entertainment January 28, 2023

2nd Annual City of Champions Basketball Invitational Hosted by Muncie Central & Muncie Burris

By Richard Crist, Board Chair, Muncie Sports Commission— MUNCIE, IN— Muncie’s two high schools, Muncie Central High School and Burris Laboratory School, have teamed up to host a one-day basketball invitational tournament on Saturday, Jan. 28th at the historic Muncie Fieldhouse. The 2nd Annual City of Champions tournament, presented by Pizza King, will feature the boys basketball teams from Muncie Central, Muncie Burris, Greenfield-Central, and Indianapolis Bishop Chatard. The tournament will kick off at 10 a.m. with a matchup between…

The E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center, located on Minnetrista Boulevard.

Education January 27, 2023

Community Invited to Learn More About Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (DEIAB)

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—Ball State University’s Office of Inclusive Excellence is offering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging (DEIAB) sessions at the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center beginning in February. All classes are free and open to the public (age 18 and older). Reservations are required. Brandon Million, assistant director in the Office of Inclusive Excellence, has been offering these classes for four years on the university campus for students, faculty and staff. This is the first time…