Articles by Mike Rhodes

The Community Foundation announced four finalists for the 2025 David Sursa Leadership Award: Keith Doudt, Urban Light Community Development Corporation; Brad King, Muncie Land Bank; Michael Lunsford, YMCA of Muncie; and Kim Miller, Muncie Arts and Culture Council.

Non-Profit May 20, 2025

The Community Foundation’s David Sursa Leadership Award 2025 Finalists Announced

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County recognizes the following finalists for the 2025 David Sursa Leadership Award: Keith Doudt, Urban Light Community Development Corporation; Brad King, Muncie Land Bank; Michael Lunsford, YMCA of Muncie; and Kim Miller, Muncie Arts and Culture Council. The David Sursa Leadership Award was established in memory of the Foundation’s first board leader. As inaugural President, David Sursa blazed the trail for The Community Foundation. His visionary leadership contributed significantly…

Read More
Photo provided.

Non-Profit May 19, 2025

Heart of Indiana United Way and Ivy Tech Launch ‘Road to Reading’ Program

By United Way Staff— MUNCIE, IN —Heart of Indiana United Way, in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College and with support from the Shafer Foundation, is proud to announce the launch of Road to Reading—a new summer literacy initiative that brings books and learning directly to families in the community. Launching on May 29 at the Avondale Church/Ross Community Center, Road to Reading offers families the opportunity to “shop” together for free books and literacy resources from a fully stocked Ivy…

From left to right, top to bottom: Judah Branam, Bradley Dickey, Lexi Edwards, Casey Gifford, Grace Murray, Emily Neal, Cory Shaw, Audrey Sizemore, and Avery Stinson.

Education, Non-Profit May 19, 2025

The Community Foundation Announces More 2025 Scholarship Recipients

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, iN—Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients: Judah Branam, a senior at Burris Laboratory School, is a recipient of the Dr. William J. and Thelma V. McNabney Memorial Scholarship. Judah plans to study media at Indiana University. He is the son of Jonathan Branam and Tiffany Branam. Bradley Dickey, a senior at Cowan Jr/Sr. High School, is a recipient of the Max V. and Nellie Cathrine Creviston Scholarship. Bradley plans to study mechanical engineering at the University…

An attendee selects a flower for their bouquet during the 2024 Brink of Summer ArtsWalk Flower Hour. Photo provided.

Entertainment May 16, 2025

A Special Edition of First Thursday, the ‘Brink of Summer ArtsWalk’ Will Celebrate Arts and Culture in Muncie

By Vicki Veach, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— MUNCIE, IN— Muncie Downtown Development Partnership (MDDP) invites you to seek the unique during Brink of Summer ArtsWalk, June 5, featuring Steamroller Printmaking, Flower Hour and DWNTWN IDOL, sponsored by The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County. Tribune Showprint Inc., the nation’s oldest continuously operating letterpress shop, will be hosting Muncie’s first Steamroller Print Event in conjunction with Muncie Downtown Development. Artists from around the region are carving images into wood, however, you…

Soup Kitchen of Muncie volunteers working in the kitchen. Photo provided.

Non-Profit May 16, 2025

Pasta for a Purpose: Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser to Support the Soup Kitchen of Muncie

By Nick Werner and Dottie Kreps— MUNCIE, IN—Mark your calendars and bring your appetite. The Soup Kitchen of Muncie invites the community to its first Pasta for a Purpose Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Heartland Hall (North), inside the Delaware County Fairgrounds. This family-friendly evening will feature a hearty spaghetti dinner, live music, and a silent auction—all to benefit a vital local cause. Guests can choose to dine in or…

Photo provided.

Business May 15, 2025

Destination: Muncie Announces New Partnership

By The Board of Directors, Visit Muncie, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN— The Board of Directors of Visit Muncie, Inc, announced today a new strategic partnership with Intersection Marketing and Branding Agency. In continuing efforts to maximize the impact and results of Innkeepers Tax dollars, the Board has tasked Intersection with the Chief Marketing Officer role for the destination marketing organization. “We want to continue the momentum the team has built over the last year,” said Jarod Walls, Chair of the Visit…

Aurilia Moulton from Yorktown High School as photographed by Thomas Peek

Education May 15, 2025

Aurilia Moulton—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey Shannon— YORKTOWN, IN—Yorktown High School senior Aurilia Moulton has learned the art of balance throughout high school in being involved with numerous activities. She ran cross-country all four years and also participated in a wide array of dramatic endeavors, including her school’s drama club and at the…

Beneficence, affectionately called “Benny,” is Ball State's institutional icon. She symbolizes the generosity of the five Ball brothers whose land donation to the State of Indiana allowed Ball State to flourish. Photo provided by BSU

Education, Government May 15, 2025

Ball State University, City of Muncie Partner to Bring New Park to Anthony-Northside Neighborhood

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN—Ball State University and the City of Muncie have partnered to create a new neighborhood park for Muncie’s Anthony-Northside Neighborhood, advancing a shared commitment to fostering positive community impact. Through a recently signed license agreement, Ball State has granted the City of Muncie the use of land surrounding the University’s Oakwood Building—formerly the Anthony Administration Building of Muncie Community Schools—for the development of the new public space. The park will provide a much-needed recreational…

Education May 14, 2025

Ball State Earns Top National Honors Across Media and Communication Programs

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University’s College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) continues to distinguish itself as a national leader in student media, earning the No. 1 ranking for Top Winning Sports Program in the 2025 Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts School Rankings. This recognition highlights the continued success of Ball State Sports Link, which captured multiple honors in this year’s Festival, including top placements for video features, live production, and…

Pictured from left to right: Annette Phillips, Pathstone Corporate, Community Development Director; Carol Jackson, Pathstone Corporation, Senior Homeownership Counselor; Kayla Villasis, Pathstone Corporation, Senior Homeownership Counselor; Brandon Lien, Pathstone Corporation, Deputy of Community Development Programs; and Jeff Parsons, First Merchants Bank, Market President.

Business May 13, 2025

First Merchants Bank Presents $137,500 Check to Pathstone to Help People With Housing Issues

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—On Tuesday morning of this week, Jeff Parsons, Market President for First Merchants bank presented a check for $137, 500 to Annette Philips, Pathstone of Muncie’s Community Development director. The funds included monies from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis along with matching funds from first Merchants. Pathstone in Muncie is a HUD-approved housing counseling organization that helps people with various housing issues including home ownership. The partnership aims to support affordable housing in…