Articles by Mike Rhodes

Ball State Raises Record-Breaking Total on One Ball State Day

We Fly April 8, 2021

Ball State Raises Record-Breaking Total on One Ball State Day

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— Muncie, IN—During the third annual One Ball State Day on April 6, Ball State University celebrated its best single day of fundraising ever. Preliminary results show that the University has received more than 9,000 gifts totaling more than $775,000. “The generous support our University received on One Ball State Day this year is remarkable,” Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns said. “I am grateful to all of the Cardinals worldwide who came together to address the critical needs of our students, faculty and staff, and programs. I am also grateful to employees at the…

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Daleville Graduate Kayla Skinner Gains Experience at the Statehouse

Education, Government April 7, 2021

Daleville Graduate Kayla Skinner Gains Experience at the Statehouse

By Lydia Kirschner, Press Secretary— Statehouse – Daleville Junior-Senior High School graduate Kayla Skinner is gaining experience as an intern with State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) and her fellow members of the Indiana House of Representatives during the 2021 legislative session. Skinner, a Daleville resident, is the daughter of Kevin and Candice Skinner. She recently graduated from Indiana University Bloomington where she majored in English and received her Bachelor of the Arts degree. “As someone who grew up in a small town, I thought the closest I would ever get to the Statehouse was through school field trips,” Skinner said. “I enjoy every…

MCS Kindergarten And Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment Programs Are This Week

Education April 6, 2021

MCS Kindergarten And Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment Programs Are This Week

By Andy Klotz— Muncie, Ind. – Parents and caregivers of young children can enroll their students in Muncie Community Schools’ (MCS) kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs this week during a series of in-person registration events. Masks will be required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. Families will need to provide proof of residence as well as the child’s birth certificate and immunization records to be enrolled. “We are excited to be able to welcome families into each of the schools so they can meet our fabulous staff and see where the children will spend their days,” MCS Director of Public…

First Merchants, Hoosier Trust Company Finalize Merger

Business April 6, 2021

First Merchants, Hoosier Trust Company Finalize Merger

By First Merchants— Companies execute legal close following regulatory approvals Indianapolis, IN – First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ: FRME) and Hoosier Trust Company have finalized a merger of the two companies, following regulatory approvals. The merger provides enhanced solutions available to current Hoosier Trust clients and solidifies First Merchants as a preeminent provider of fiduciary and wealth management services in central Indiana. Established in 2001, Hoosier Trust Company built a highly respected trust and investment management practice serving clients in central Indiana. The company’s employees have a combined service of more than 75 years in the industry and work exclusively to…

Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County – Beyond the Degree

Education April 5, 2021

Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County – Beyond the Degree

By Lesley Devoss— Muncie, IN – Ivy Tech Community College is passionate about student success. Many students have gone on to do great things with their associate degrees and certificates. Brian Wehrle is one such student. He shared why he made the decision to attend Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County as well as how his associate degree in Advanced Automation and Robotics Technology (AART) helped him earn a position with Amazon. “I chose Ivy Tech Muncie due to it being close to home and it being affordable. I have lived in Muncie all my life. It was the only logical place…

Community Partnerships Bring Vaccines to Muncie Southside

Health April 5, 2021

Community Partnerships Bring Vaccines to Muncie Southside

By Lorri Markum, Meridian Health Services— Muncie, IN—Meridian Health Services and Urban Light Community Church provided opportunities for people in the community to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Associate Pastor Maria Wilson, MSW along with Senior Pastor Andrew Draper, Ph.D. both of Urban Light, are passionate about their congregation and the surrounding community. Wilson and Lisa Suttle, Regional Vice President of Clinical Services for Meridian, work together on Mobilizing Muncie’s Healthcare sub-committee and wanted to fulfill the need to bring vaccines to people, who may have limited opportunities for various reasons to receive a COVID vaccine. Wilson said, “This…

Delaware County COVID-19 Update, April 1st

Health April 4, 2021

Delaware County COVID-19 Update, April 1st

Editor’s note: The following COVID-19 update is brought to you through a collaboration of healthcare partners including Delaware County Health Department, Delaware County Emergency Management Agency, Delaware County Office of Information, and other major healthcare providers. Delaware County weekly COVID-19 updates are released every Thursday and include information from the Indiana State Department of Health county metrics dashboard, which is updated every Wednesday afternoon.  “I am excited to see the eligibility be completely opened this week to all Indiana residents 16 years of age and over,” said Brian Reed, director of transformation at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. “I hope…

John Carlson: In Spiral-Cuts, What Goes Around…

Carlson April 2, 2021

John Carlson: In Spiral-Cuts, What Goes Around…

By John Carlson— Yeah, OK, sure, I get it.  The 21st Century is a time of marvelous achievement, what with all the electronic advancements and stuff. But there’s an even more remarkable advancement, one in a totally different field of endeavor, that too often we take for granted. Spiral-cut ham. Now, before continuing, I regret starting off any piece of writing with references to modern advancements, be they in the fields of personal communications or meat. Anymore, “the latest exciting new advancements” age so quickly, they look ridiculously archaic in no time. It’s like when you’re watching an old “Seinfeld”…

Anderson University and Ball State University Announce Engineering Partnership

Education April 1, 2021

Anderson University and Ball State University Announce Engineering Partnership

By Anderson University and Ball State University Marketing and Communications— Anderson, IN — Anderson University (AU) and Ball State University (BSU) are proud to announce a new partnership, through which students will have the opportunity to earn a dual degree. BSU students will study either astronomy or physics from BSU alongside one of AU’s ABET-accredited engineering programs — computer, electrical, or mechanical — housed within the AU School of Science and Engineering. The partnership program is designed to take five years to complete, and will allow Ball State University students to identify with their home campus at BSU, while also drawing…

How Muncie Symphony Orchestra’s New Executive Director Plans to Transform the Community

Non-Profit March 31, 2021

How Muncie Symphony Orchestra’s New Executive Director Plans to Transform the Community

By Melissa Jones— Muncie, IN — Music has the power to unify, said Scott Watkins. As the new executive director of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, Watkins plans to do just that: bring the community together through music. “There’s something about the beauty and the truth in music—when it comes together, it creates something very powerful,” Watkins said. “Music has the power to unify, it really does. It goes straight to the heart; people feel it, and they’re a part of it. When people listen to music, they don’t look at skin color or demographic background; they are looking at how…