Articles by Mike Rhodes

Kelly N. Stanley Recipient of ‘2019 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award’ From Association of Fundraising Professionals

By: Sara Nash— Indianapolis, IN—Fundraising professionals throughout the state will be celebrating the spirit of giving in November by recognizing philanthropists and the impact of Hoosier philanthropy at the 37th annual Indiana Philanthropy Awards celebration, presented by Aly Sterling Philanthropy. Since 1983, Indiana Philanthropy Awards have honored individuals and organizations who have enhanced philanthropy, the community, and the world through their dedicated efforts, time, leadership, passion, and generosity in Indiana. Past honorees have included some of the foremost philanthropists, leaders,…

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NAACP To Host 2019 Freedom Fund Banquet on September 20th

By: George Foley— Muncie, IN—The 3rd Annual NAACP Muncie Freedom Fund Banquet will be held Friday, September 20, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. at the Horizon Convention Center located at 401 S. High Street, Muncie, Indiana 47303. As always, we have an exciting dinner planned to include great food and a dynamic speaker. This year’s keynote speaker is Carolene Mays-Medley, Executive Director-White River State Park and Motivational.  Carolene Mays-Medley has overseen a rapidly increasing event lineup as well as an infrastructure…


Cook And Belle Concert To Kick Off 2019 United Way Campaign

By: Juli Metzger— Muncie, IN—United Way of Delaware and Henry Counties kicks off its Delaware County 2019 campaign next month with a downtown celebration and outdoor concert by local music legends – Cook and Belle. The concert – on Thursday, Sept. 5 – begins at 7 p.m. when the local headliners take the stage. Fun for the whole family begins at 6 p.m. with Charlie Cardinal, performances by Ball State’s Code Red Dancers, and games. The event – now in…


4th Annual Just Desserts Event to Benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie

By: Amy Logan— Muncie, IN—The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie and Old National Bank are excited to invite you to the 4th Annual Just Desserts on October 3, 2019. This year’s event will take place in the Ivy Tech Ballroom, located at 345 S. High Street. More than 150 guests will enjoy wine, appetizers, music, and fellowship with friends to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie. Each table will work together to outbid other tables…


Chamber of Commerce Legacy Gala Honors Ball Family

By: The Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce— Muncie, IN—The 9th annual Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Gala was held at the Horizon Convention Center on Saturday evening, August 24th. Among those who paid tribute to the legacy of the Ball family was Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.  The event also included speaker James A. Fisher, CEO of the Ball Brothers Foundation Board of Directors; Geoffrey Mearns, Ball State University President; Dr. Jeffrey Bird, CEO of IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital; and, Stephanie…


How Family And My Hometown Influenced My Career In Higher-Ed Leadership

By: Alison Bell, Chancellor for WGU Indiana— I recently had the opportunity to meet with Muncie city leaders, including Mayor Dennis Tyler, to discuss access to affordable college, a visit that was part of a statewide tour we planned after I took on my new role as Chancellor at WGU Indiana. While I was excited to have the opportunity to visit the new local restaurant, Roots, in the Village, I also found myself reflecting on the city and family members who…


IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Earns ‘LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader’ Designation

By: Courtney Thomas— Muncie hospital is one of only 4 hospitals statewide and 406 healthcare providers nationwide to earn the LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader designation. Muncie, IN—IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital announced that it has achieved “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) for the eighth consecutive year. IU Health Ball was the first hospital in Indiana to earn the LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader designation in 2012. The designation was awarded in the 12th edition…


John Carlson: Dang! That’s Great Jell-O!

By: John Carlson— The most enticing Jell-O dish I have ever seen was on the cover of a little cookbook called “Thinking Outside the Box,” given to me by the delightful Julie Kappel Maugherman. Pictured was a platter topped with an exquisitely molded crimson Jell-O. Suspended in the middle of that Jell-O was a White Castle slider. That’s right, a little hamburger. Inside the Jell-O. This was a molded mound of Jell-O that could make the heart of any White Castle…


Summit for Transparency in Local Government—Citizens and Solutions for an Open Muncie

By: Aimee West, Muncie Action Plan— Muncie, IN—The call for civil discourse in Muncie and Delaware County has reached a fever pitch, with citizens’ petitions, calls to action, and a demand for better information and more transparency. There’s a broken traffic light at the 4-way intersection between citizens, boards and commissions, local government, and the process by which our local government makes decisions. Trying to follow this political give and take has left citizens feeling confused and angry about decisions…


Ontario Systems Announces Investment From New Mountain Capital

Leading Investment Firm Poised to Help Software Provider Achieve Next Level of Growth— Muncie, IN–Ontario Systems (“Ontario”, or “the Company”), a leading provider of enterprise software that automates complex workflows and accelerates revenue recovery for clients in the healthcare, accounts receivable management (ARM), and government markets, has entered into a definitive agreement to partner with New York-based New Mountain Capital, a leading growth-oriented investment firm with over $20 billion in assets under management. With its purchase of a majority share…