Articles by Mike Rhodes

Shafer Leadership Academy Helps New Muncie City Council Members Run Efficient Meetings

By Mitch Isaacs— MUNCIE, IN—Nora Powell won the Muncie City Council District #2 election in November and was eager to build on her experience as an at-large member from 2012—2019. As the excitement settled, her thoughts turned to preparation. When Powell was elected to serve the Muncie City Council in November, she knew members would engage in workshops to understand budgeting, ordinances and resolutions. But, she felt there was more to learn. “It is just as important for councilpersons to…

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Ball State University Receives $35 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment to Advance Village Revitalization Plan

Grant is the largest single gift in the history of the University. By Ball State Market and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University has received a grant of $35 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative, College and Community Collaboration (CCC). The grant will support the University’s ambitious, long-term plan to revitalize The Village, the commercial district adjacent to Ball State’s campus. The majority of the grant will support the design and construction of a new performing arts…


Muncie Central HS Alumni Association Recognizes Distinguished Alumni for 2023

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association at its annual meeting in November recognized three distinguished alumni and gave an honorary award to the five Central alumnae for their founding of Delta Theta Tau sorority, which grew into a national organization. The three alumni recognized for their distinguished careers and contributions to their community and Muncie Central were Bob Barnet, who graduated in 1929; Ryan Kerrigan, 2007; and Marilyn Weaver, 1961. Muncie’s legendary sportswriter, Barnet, was…


2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipients from Delaware County Announced

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County is pleased to announce that the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients for Delaware County are Lucy Holaday of Yorktown High School, and Jillian Kimmel of Muncie Central High School. “Finalists for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Delaware County must show great leadership potential, be well-rounded in their involvement, and exhibit community-mindedness,” said Marcy Minton, president and CEO of The Community Foundation. “Lucy Holaday and Jillian…


Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce Launches National Civics Bee®

By Katy Maggart— MUNCIE, IN— The Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the launch of the 2024 National Civics Bee®, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Organized in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition in Delaware County will inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater…


Ball State University Receives $1.5 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, Indiana – Ball State University has received a $1.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to further integrate Science of Reading-aligned principles into the University’s teacher preparation programs. The grant is part of Lilly Endowment’s “Advancing the Science of Reading in Indiana” initiative. It will support Ball State’s Teachers College, the largest educator preparation provider in Indiana, in its mission of enabling future teachers to deliver effective literacy instruction that is fair and…


Roto-Rooter of Muncie Transforms Lives Through Home Renovation for Ukrainian Couple Displaced by War

By Ilene Hackett— MUNCIE, IN—Roto-Rooter Plumbing, Drains, and Water Damage Cleanup of Muncie has undertaken an extraordinary initiative to provide a deserving Ukrainian couple with a safe and welcoming home after being displaced by the recent war. The couple, who used their life savings to purchase a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home in the Whitely neighborhood of Muncie, Indiana, faced numerous challenges in making their new life in the United States. The transformative journey began when Roto-Rooter’s manager, Jon Salmon,…


Ball State University Student Media Earns Several Prestigious Awards in Journalism

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University’s student media organizations recently were recognized with several prestigious national journalism awards, as announced at the Fall National College Media Convention in Atlanta. In all, student journalists from The Ball State Daily News, Ball Bearings magazine, and NewsLink Indiana received awards from the Student Press Law Center (SPLC), the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP), and the College Media Association (CMA). Included in the awards for The Ball State Daily…


Maring-Hunt Library: A Space You Can Call Home

By Laurie Lunsford— MUNCIE, IN—A few years ago, Maring-Hunt Library, one of the four branches in the Muncie Public Library system, joined with several community organizations and Ball State University Immersive Learning students, led by Dr. Pam Harwood, to develop a large green space behind the library. The space previously provided community garden plots. The result was a beautiful and functional outdoor space for people to gather. The Maring-Hunt Library Pavilion project and the continuing garden plot program brought big…


Open Door To Offer COVID-19 Vaccinations at Monthly Clinics

By Suzanne Clem— MUNCIE, IN – Community members who have not yet received the updated COVID-19 vaccine have the opportunity to do so at upcoming Open Door Health Services clinics. Covid vaccination clinics are the second Thursday of each month from noon-6 p.m., through March. The clinics take place at Open Door’s downtown Muncie health center, located at 333 S. Madison St. Vaccination remains no-cost and is open to ages 6 months and older. No appointment is necessary. While those…