Articles by Mike Rhodes

Ball State University Foundation Unveils 2025 ‘Top 100 Student Awards’ Recipients

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — The Ball State University Foundation today revealed the recipients of the University’s newest “Top 100 Student Awards.” This annual awards program honors 100 exceptional junior and senior undergraduates who embody the spirit of Beneficence—Ball State’s iconic statue representing the generosity of the five Ball brothers, whose land donation helped establish the University. The full list of Ball State’s 2025 Top 100 Students is available on the Foundation’s website. “We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize Ball State’s outstanding junior and senior students for a fourth year through the ‘Top 100 Student…

Read More

BS&A Software Acquires Boyce Systems in Daleville and Expands Municipal ERP Leadership

By Boyce Systems staff— BATH, Michigan & MUNCIE, Indiana – February 18, 2025 – BS&A Software, a leading provider of cloud-based municipal ERP solutions, has acquired Boyce Systems and its Keystone software, one of Indiana’s top providers of financial and ERP solutions for municipalities. This acquisition strengthens BS&A’s presence in Indiana and the Midwest, enhancing its ability to support local governments with modern, secure, and efficient technology solutions. This strategic acquisition brings together two companies with a shared commitment to innovation and exceptional customer service. Boyce’s Keystone customers will now have access to BS&A’s state-of-the-art cloud-native ERP platform, delivering enhanced…


Upcoming Neighborhood Conference Celebrates 10 Years of Great ‘IDEAS’

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—The 10th annual Neighborhood IDEA Conference will be March 8, 2025, on Ball State University’s campus. The free event will include a look back at some of the most popular sessions over the last decade and new presentations and panel discussions on local political action, projects, and the first “graduating class” of CenterPoint Scholars, a neighborhood leadership academy. “We know that our resident leaders look forward to this gathering every year and we want to continue to make it an informative and fun event for everyone,” said Heather Williams, Associate Director for Community Engagement and Program…


Register Now for Indiana Youth Institute’s Muncie State of the Child Event on Feb. 24

By Margaret Curtland, IYI Senior Communications Manager— MUNCIE, IN—Local community leaders and youth workers will gather on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, for Indiana Youth Institute’s (IYI) annual Muncie State of the Child. Register here to attend. The event is free, but seating is limited. Learn how Muncie children are doing across the areas of family and community, health, economic well-being, and education. IYI will share disaggregated data, opportunities and disparities, and facilitate data-informed conversations about the issues facing Hoosier kids. This year, the event features Muncie Central High School Principal Christopher Walker and Tammy Pearson, President and CEO of Project Leadership, as…


Orchestra Indiana Appoints Yaniv Segal as Conductor and Artistic Director

By Dawn Brand Fluhler— MUNCIE, IN – Orchestra Indiana has announced Yaniv Segal as its new Principal Conductor and Artistic Director. Segal, who has extensive experience as a conductor, violinist, actor, and composer, will begin Artistic Director duties immediately and will conduct most of the concerts next season. Ranging from performing and singing at the Metropolitan Opera and touring in a Broadway show as a child, to composing multiple major works and conducting orchestras across the United States and world, Segal brings his talent and reimagined vision for what orchestra and the arts can do for a community. “We were…


Emergence Leadership Program Returns In Spring 2025

Now a Five-Week Format for Greater Accessibility By Arrick Garringer— MUNCIE, IN—Shafer Leadership Academy (SLA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering inclusive leadership development, is excited to announce the return of Emergence: Personal Foundations of Effective Leadership. This highly interactive leadership program is now offered in a streamlined five-week format to better accommodate busy professionals. The program will run from April 3 through April 29, 2025. Emergence is Shafer Leadership Academy’s signature leadership development experience, designed for both emerging and experienced leaders seeking to enhance their leadership skills. Participants will refine their leadership style, develop confidence, and gain practical tools…


Earn Your Associate of Science in Special Education From Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN – As of September 2024, there were more than 300 posted open positions for special education teachers in Indiana. To help meet this need, Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County is one of a few Ivy Tech locations that offers a Special Education program. This program serves as a foundation for accessible and inclusive learning environments through its students. The 60-credit hour, four-semester program is designed to equip aspiring educators with the skills and knowledge they need to transform the lives of students with differing abilities. Future educators complete the program and transfer to a four-year partner…


Regency Properties Acquires Fully Leased Muncie Towne Plaza

By Michael Millar— EVANSVILLE—Regency Properties, a retail property investment and management firm, has acquired Muncie Towne Plaza, a 173,773 square foot shopping center located in Muncie, Indiana. The acquisition underscores Regency’s acquisition philosophy as a “county seat” community retail property investor. Muncie Towne Plaza, developed in 1997 and renovated in 2005, is fully leased to national tenants. Tenants include Kohl’s, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty, and Shoe Carnival. The center is located on East Princeton Avenue, approximately one-half mile north of McGalliard Road, the primary thoroughfare in Muncie. The closest interstate access, I-69, is about 10 miles West of…


Zoe Shihemi—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— DALEVILLE, IN—Daleville Junior/Senior High School senior Zoe Shihemi is passionate about advocating for children and others who cannot do so themselves. As an eighth grader in Pendleton, she became a member of the Best Buddies Club, which pairs students with special needs classmates. Though she moved to Daleville her sophomore year and the program wasn’t available, she remains connected to her buddy from Pendleton.  “I’m still…


33rd Annual Muncie Model Train Show Coming to Fairgrounds on Feb 22

By R. Brian Wolfe— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie and Western Model Railroad Club announces its 33rd Annual Muncie Model Train Show to be held Saturday, February 22 from 10 AM to 3 PM at the Delaware County Fairgrounds at 1210 N. Wheeling Avenue.  Admission is only $5 for each adult—children 12 and under are admitted free.  Indiana’s largest, longest-running, single-day model train show will be held in both the Memorial and Heartland buildings.  Proceeds from the train show are used to maintain the new operating model train exhibit at the Muncie Children’s Museum. Watch and listen to this Facebook video narrated…