Articles by Mike Rhodes

By Diane Watters, Associate Director, E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center, Ball State University— MUNCIE, Ind.—After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 concerns, the E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center has reopened. The Center on Minnetrista Boulevard has been a Muncie landmark since it was built in 1907 by Mr. and Mrs. E.B. Ball. In 1975, the Ball Brothers Foundation gifted the residential property to the Ball State University Foundation with the provision that it be used by the university as a…

By The Indiana Economic Development Corporation— Internationally renowned Startup Genome highlights Indiana as a Top 40 Emerging Startup Ecosystem INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Startup Genome, a policy advisory and research organization, has released its 2022 Global Startup Ecosystem Report. The comprehensive, data-driven report analyzed more than 280 entrepreneurial ecosystems including 3 million startups and ranked Indiana as a Global Top 40 Emerging Ecosystem. Indiana is also included in seven other subsets for talent, early capital funding and performance. “The Start Up Genome Top 40…

By Kate H. Elliott— MUNCIE, Ind. —Meet Shafer Leadership Academy’s Community Inclusion Ambassadors, who will work to build relationships across all communities within East Central Indiana. These passionate leaders will travel the region to connect individuals with inclusive leadership development opportunities. Mitch Isaacs, executive director of Shafer Leadership Academy, said the ambassadors are particularly focused on empowering diverse candidates for nonprofit boards and neighborhood associations as well as local government positions. The ambassadors will also provide guidance and insight about…

By Holly Juip— MUNCIE, Ind.–Nearly 1,200 Muncie students were able to choose and take home 12 books each to keep and read over the summer through Heart of Indiana United Way’s Summer Book Give-Away program. In its fifth year, the program doubled by serving preschool through fifth-grade students at South View, Longfellow, and Grissom Elementary Schools. “United Way is on a mission to grow a love of reading amongst students and their families,” explained President & CEO Jenni Marsh. “Having access…

By Zach Hansen—  MUNCIE, Ind.—Our primary goal at the Clubs is to inspire our kids and help them reach their full potential to be the best person they each can be. This mission has never been more tested given how turbulent the past few years have been globally. However, our community and our partners know that we all need to invest in each other to do whatever it takes to provide for the futures of our Club kids. The George…