Articles by Mike Rhodes

John Marsh, a history teacher at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities, has been named the recipient of the inaugural Robert P. Bell Creative Teaching Award from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. John (center) poses with Foundation program officer, Carly Acree-King (left), and president, Kelly K. Shrock (right). Photo by Mallory Huxford.

Education September 12, 2018

John Marsh Named Recipient of Inaugural Robert P. Bell Creative Teaching Award From The Community Foundation

By: Kallie Sulanke, Community Engagement Officer— Muncie, Indiana– The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has announced that John Marsh has been awarded the inaugural Robert P. Bell Creative Teaching Award to recognize his innovation in the classroom. Marsh, a history teacher at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities, was nominated by Indiana Academy’s Director of Academic Affairs, Dr. Jeff Smith, for his execution of three recent Robert P. Bell Education Grants. This past May, for…

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Mark Battig. Photo provided.

Non-Profit September 12, 2018

YMCA of Muncie Hires New Executive Director at Camp Crosley  

By: Kristen McConnell— Mark Battig has been hired as the Executive Director at Camp Crosley Muncie, Indiana—Mark Battig has been hired as the new Executive Director of Camp Crosley YMCA. Mark succeeds long time executive, Richard Armstrong, whom he worked with for several years before moving to Tampa, Florida. Mark has a long history in camping, serving YMCA’s in Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida and Indiana. While in Florida, Mark served as the Executive Director of Camp Cristina and Director of Camping Services…

Friends and neighbors enjoying the vendors at the Old Washington Street Festival.

Non-Profit September 12, 2018

Emily Kimbrough Historical District Celebrates the 42nd Annual Old Washington Street Festival

By: Kim Miller— Muncie, Indiana—The East Central Neighborhood Association will host their 42nd Annual Old Washington Street Festival on September 15 & 16. The festival features the architectural, cultural, and social heritage of Muncie’s Emily Kimbrough Historic District and surrounding neighborhoods and will run from 11am-7pm Saturday and 11am-5pm Sunday. Festivities will occur along Washington Street between Madison and Beacon and on side street intersections. The Muncie Maker’s Market will be in Madjax on Sunday, September 16. Visitors can enjoy…

Proposed design of the $87.5 million Foundational Sciences Building at Ball State. Illustration provided.

We Fly September 11, 2018

Board Moves Forward With New Foundational Sciences Building at Ball State

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, Indiana — Ball State’s Board of Trustees recently reviewed the proposed design of the $87.5 million Foundational Sciences Building, another step in the University’s plan to meet the growing demand for STEM professionals. The 205,000-square-foot structure will be located in the new East Quad, just to the south of the Health Professions Building that is currently under construction. “The Foundational Sciences Building is a significant step forward in meeting a critical need for the state of Indiana,” said Ball State…

Photo provided.

Entertainment September 11, 2018

National Tour of ‘NOËL The Musical’ Calls for Local Auditions

By: Kristi Chambers— Muncie, Indiana –NOËL The Musical is accepting auditions for three walk-on roles at their performance at Emens Auditorium on Nov. 20, 2018. NOËL is a stunning new holiday musical from top-selling children’s author Eoin Colfer. Set in modern day London, NOËL tells a heartwarming tale of a little girl who is preparing for her starring role in a school Christmas play when her mother suddenly disappears. To avoid being taken into care, Noël keeps her mother’s disappearance…

Teju Cole, award-winning novelist, essayist, photography critic for The New York Times Magazine, and the Gore Vidal Professor of the Practice of Creative Writing at Harvard University. Photo provided.

We Fly September 11, 2018

Teju Cole To Present at Ball State University On Sept. 13-14

By: Melissa Kraman— Muncie,, Indiana —Teju Cole, award-winning novelist, essayist, photography critic for The New York Times Magazine, and the Gore Vidal Professor of the Practice of Creative Writing at Harvard University will visit Ball State University on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. in Emens Auditorium to celebrate the nature of seeing and thinking in new ways as he discusses his latest book Blind Spot. Combining text and images in conversation with each other, Blind Spot explores the mysteries of the ordinary and the power of…

The scene downtown last year during the Voices United concert. Photo provided.

Non-Profit September 10, 2018

Ball State Offers FREE Shuttle For 4 Downtown Events

By: Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— Muncie, IN—Ball State is offering FREE shuttle service for faculty, staff, and students to four FREE downtown events. Thank you to our partner, Ball State University and the Office of Community Engagement for providing shuttle service to four downtown events and for promoting Downtown Muncie. Voices (Re)United Concert Thursday, September 13, 6:30 – 9 pm @ Walnut Street United Way of Delaware County kicks off its 2018 campaign with a FREE downtown celebration and concert….

The Horizon Convention Center in downtown Muncie. Photo courtesy of Horizon Convention Center

Business September 9, 2018

Behind the Scenes in Horizon Convention Center Sales

By: Mike Rhodes— An inside look at how the Horizon Convention Center attracts out-of-town business. Muncie, Indiana— Have you ever wondered how out-of-town prospects are located, sold, and booked for conventions at the Horizon Convention Center? Convention Sales Manager, Laura Rowe has that responsibility, and it’s one she loves. Rowe graduated from State University of New York Empire State College with a degree in hospitality. She started out in the “room sales” side of the business and worked for Marriott for…

A scene inside Emens Auditorium as Ball State kicked off the Centennial Celebration. Photo provided.

We Fly September 7, 2018

Ball State Kicks Off Centennial Celebration

By: Marc Ransford— Muncie, Indiana – From the “Cardinal” red carpet entrance by former Ball State presidents and other dignitaries, to an emotional rendition of “We Fly” to a heart pounding conclusion with a fireworks display, the campus community came together Thursday, September 6, to kick off a yearlong celebration of University’s 100th anniversary. Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns pointed out that while many things have changed in the University’s first 100 years, the constant has been the values…

Oh, no! The coffeemaker dripped way too long again! Photo by: Nancy Carlson

Carlson September 7, 2018

John Carlson: Feeling Put Upon?

By: John Carlson— How lucky are we to live in the United States of America? Very lucky, as I am sure most of us would agree. That’s not to say it’s perfect here. But as my wife reminds me when I am bitching and moaning about the state of things or some perceived injustice, my problems invariably amount to what are best described, and dismissed, as “first-world.”  Take the other morning. Having hopped out of bed at the crack of 9:30,…