Articles by Mike Rhodes

Nick Childress (Monroe Central) and Kelton Balfour (Muncie Central) from the MACC's Electrical Technology program. Photo by: Kris Julius

Education January 31, 2020

Muncie Area Career Center To Hold Career and Technical Education Open House

By: Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, Director of Public Education, CEO, Muncie Community Schools—  Muncie, IN – Students and faculty from the Muncie Area Career Center (MACC) invite prospective students, parents, stakeholders, and members of the public to attend the annual Career and Technical Education Open House at the MACC (2500 N. Elgin St.) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13. Attendees will have opportunities to meet instructors and current students, learn about program offerings, tour classrooms and labs, and participate…

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The Bargain Box, 607 E. Charles Street in Muncie. Photo provided

Non-Profit January 31, 2020

PSI IOTA XI Philanthropic Grants Awarded For 2019

By: Bonnie Smith— Muncie, IN—Psi Iota Xi Charities Inc. is pleased to announce its Philanthropic Grant Awards for 2019. These grants are funded from profits earned at The Bargain Box, 607 E. Charles Street in Muncie.  The Bargain Box is a resale shop operated and staffed by volunteer members of Psi Iota Xi Sorority. The purpose of the sorority is “the furthering of philanthropic, cultural and social enterprises” in our community.  This year’s grants totaling $18,000 were awarded to the following worthwhile…

These shoes illustrate the steps to a dance any man can learn. Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson January 31, 2020

John Carlson: Guy’s Key To Happy Dancing

By: John Carlson— The older and lazier I get, the more enthusiastically I embrace an innovative style of dancing which I developed back in my middle-aged years. The key to it? Don’t move your feet. It’s amazing how, for many guys, not moving your feet while dancing turns an otherwise onerous activity into a slightly less onerous activity. Not for all guys, though! Even way back at our middle-school sock hops, there were some guys who loved nothing more than…

Geoffrey S. Mearns, Ball State University's 17th president. Photo: courtesy of Ball State University

We Fly January 31, 2020

Ball State Trustees Extend President’s Contract And Elect New Officers

By: Ball State Marketing & Communications— Muncie, IN — The Ball State Board of Trustees took steps today to maintain the positive momentum of the University by unanimously extending the contract of President Geoffrey S. Mearns and electing new officers, including Renae Conley as chair. His extension is through June 30, 2027. “Ball State is stronger than ever,” said Rick Hall, ’89, who served as Board chair from 2014 until today. “In extending President Mearns’ contract, the Board has taken…

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Photo provided

Health January 30, 2020

IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Awards More Than $600,000 to Improve Children’s Health and Wellness

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie, IN—Indiana University Health is delivering on its commitment to make Indiana a healthier state. With support from the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Foundation, the organization will invest $600,000 in grants that will address critical health issues affecting Hoosier children over the long term. “We are so honored to help support such deserving initiatives in our community,” said Jeff Bird, MD, president, IU Health East Central Region. “Ball State University’s College of Health and Second Harvest…

Photo provided

Non-Profit January 30, 2020

Ice League Draft Day Kicks Off 2020 Season On Saturday at Muncie Central

By: Brenda Morehead— Muncie, IN—The 2020 season of Project Leadership’s ICE League will officially get underway Saturday, February 1st ,with a Draft Day for middle school athletes at Muncie Central High School. The Inner City Educational (ICE) League, in its fifth season, is an innovative initiative that motivates participants to be strong student athletes as they move toward high school and post-secondary educations. The ICE League ties in closely with Project Leadership’s mission to assist local students to and through…

Muncie and Delaware county is ranked number one in Indiana for charitable giving by the Sagamore Institute's Public Good Index. Photo courtesy of Alliance Magazine.

Business January 29, 2020

Alliance Magazine: Muncie’s Robust Philanthropic Profile Leads Indiana’s Major Cities

By: Eric Cox— Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt of an article that appears in the Fall 2019 Edition of Alliance Magazine, published by the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. A PDF of the entire article and full Fall 2019 Edition of the magazine can be viewed from the link at the very bottom of this article.  Muncie, IN—Time, talent and treasure. Those are the cornerstones of philanthropy, and those who selflessly share them have made Muncie a shining star of charitable giving…

Students compete in a championship match during the VEX Tournament at Purdue Polytechnic Anderson. Photo provided

Education January 29, 2020

Madjax To Host VEX Robotics Tournament On February 1st

By: Kyra Zylstra— Muncie, IN—Madjax is excited to host Muncie’s inaugural VEX Robotics Tournament on February 1, 2020. This family-friendly event is part of a broader Madjax-led Future of Work Initiative designed in response to feedback from both local workforce and educational leaders about the need to strengthen the pipeline of local skills and talent. “Purdue Polytechnic is glad to be a partner in providing innovative and collaborative learning opportunities for the current and future workforce in Delaware County,” said Corey…

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Non-Profit January 29, 2020

New Credit Score Model Rolling Out Soon

By: The Radio Television Digital News Association— Most people probably have not heard of Fair Isaac Corp., but the company can affect the daily life of anyone who wants to borrow or rent. It’s the company behind the FICO credit score, and it just announced changes to the widely used credit scoring system. Forbes reports that average FICO scores are at an all-time high, but so is consumer debt, one reason for the updated model. According to Fair Isaac, the…

MITS has released a new app for your mobile devices. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business January 28, 2020

MITS Introduces a New App for Mobile Devices

By: Amanda Price— Muncie, IN—MITS, Muncie’s local transportation provider, is excited to introduce you to our New MITSBus App! In 2019 MITS asked you to tell us what you thought and the overwhelming response was that our old app was not providing the information our riders needed. MITS staff immediately began the process of securing a company to design an entirely new app. Moving as quickly as possible, Bishop Peak Technologies was able to launch the new MITSBus app on January 20, 2020….