Articles by Mike Rhodes

Photo provided by Ivy Tech

Education June 8, 2023

‘WorkMatters’ Initiative at Ivy Tech Explained

By Lesley Devoss— MUNCIE, IN— Ivy Tech Community College, local employers, and the problem-solving courts joined forces in 2021 to form WorkMatters, a collaborative initiative aimed at developing a talent pipeline of highly trained employees for Delaware and Henry County. The program has grown since its founding, developing into a multifaceted program that provides support to more than justice-involved individuals. This multifaceted program focuses on supporting underrepresented groups including justice-involved, justice-impacted, and non-traditional students. The program supports students with credit…

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Photo provided by Ball State University

Education June 7, 2023

Ball State Wins National Excellence in Community Engagement Institutional Leadership Award 

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN– Ball State University has been selected as the winner of the 2022 Ryan, Moser, Reilly Award for Excellence in Community Engagement Institutional Leadership award by the Engaged Scholarship Consortium (ESC) Awards Committee.   ESC awards recognize higher education institutions and their exemplary contributions to scholarship and the practice of community engaged scholarship.   “It’s an honor to be chosen by the Engagement Scholarship Consortium Awards Committee for this recognition,” said Kelli Huth, associate vice president for Community…

Business, Government June 6, 2023

New Holiday Inn to Bring 50+ Jobs

By Michele Owen— MUNCIE, IN—On Thursday, May 25th, a new 105 room hotel was approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals. This was the final step to bring a new Holiday Inn Express & Suites to Muncie, located on Hometown Boulevard, near the Greg Hubler Hyundai dealership. A 2020 hotel study showed that Muncie could support at least three new hotels. “There’s definitely a need,” commented Mayor Ridenour. “There are so many conventions and events hosted in Muncie, and our…

Volunteers continue work on the 'More Love' mural on south Walnut street. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Non-Profit June 5, 2023

‘More Love’ Mural Currently Being Painted On Future Choices Building in South Muncie

By Barbara Schafer— MUNCIE, IN—The 8twelve Coalition and MuncieArts are proud to announce a public arts project in south Muncie—a mural to be painted on the Future Choices building located at 905 S. Walnut St. The project is the result of the collaboration between the Coalition, Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts), South Central Neighborhood Association, and Future Choices. Through resident engagement in the South Central Neighborhood, the mural “MORE LOVE” was created by Chris Silva. Chris Silva’s creative pursuits are…

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $340,000 in Community Grants during the second quarter of 2023, including a $25,000 grant to Project Leadership to support the cost of operations. A similar grant last year supported programs, including Scholar Success Program labs at Muncie Central, pictured.

Non-Profit June 5, 2023

$340K Awarded to Community Organizations

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded $340,000 in Community Grants this month. Beginning in 2023, The Community Foundation shifted to a Community Grants program. Nonprofit organizations have a wide-open door for applications instead of separate applications for multiple grants programs through the Foundation. Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to connect with Foundation staff. The flexibility of Community Grants allows the Foundation’s Program and Nonprofit Relations team to develop…

From left to right; top to bottom: Gannon Crosser, Tynan Dishman, Camryn Eldridge, Julia Hodes, Mason Lynn, Riley Powers, Evan Reed, and Kenzie Stark.

Education June 5, 2023

More Community Foundation 2023 Scholarship Recipients Announced

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients – Gannon Crosser, a senior at Yorktown High School, is a recipient of the Yorktown Lions Club Scholarship and Jim Leffler Memorial Scholarship. Gannon plans to study Exploratory Studies at Indiana University. He is the son of Lynn and Christopher Crosser. Tynan Dishman, a junior nursing student at Ball State University, is a recipient of the Patricia K. and Franklyn D. Brinkman, Sr. Nursing Scholarship. Camryn Eldridge, a freshman agricultural…

Photo provided by BSU esports program

Education June 3, 2023

Ball State University Earns National Program of the Year Honors at ‘EsportsU’ Collegiate Awards 

By BSU Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University claimed Program of the Year honors at the inaugural EsportsU Collegiate Awards, a new national recognition program held May 6-7 at Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Ball State’s Esports program was selected the best among more than 3,000 academic institutions in the nation represented by EsportsU, a business vertical of Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG), an integrated sports and entertainment media company. “We are thrilled to receive the Esports…

Cornerstone Center for the Arts is located at 520 E. Washington Street in Muncie. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Entertainment June 2, 2023

Cornerstone to Host ‘A Splash of Wine on Canvas’

By Dee McKinsey— Muncie, IN– Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 520 East Main St., Muncie, is holding an event from 6-9 p.m., Friday, June 16 in association with the Belgian Horse Winery of Middleton. The event, A Splash of Wine on Canvas, where attendees will learn the art of acrylic painting on a spinning canvas. The class will take place in the Cornerstone Great Room. The cost is $30 per person, with the canvas supplied. Class attendees  will be instructed…

Muncie Central High School students collaborate on a group project. Photo by Maggie Manor

Non-Profit June 1, 2023

George and Frances Ball Foundation Awards Nearly $600,000 To Delaware County Initiatives

By Kelsey Harrington, Program Officer— MUNCIE, IN—On May 11th, George and Frances Ball Foundation’s Board of Directors met to review quarterly competitive grant requests. More than $600,000 was awarded to 11 area nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. The Foundation’s proactive grantmaking strategy is focused on educational attainment from cradle to career. The collective impact initiative that helps to carry out this work, Cradle to Career Muncie, is focused not only on academic markers such as kindergarten readiness and third grade…

The annual "Flags of Honor" at Minnetrista is a community project of the Exchange Club of Muncie. Photo provided

Non-Profit May 31, 2023

Muncie Exchange Club Recognizes Outstanding High School Sophomores  

By Kallie Sulanke, Member Exchange Club of Muncie—  MUNCIE, IN—The Exchange Club of Muncie honored 29 Muncie tenth-graders from Muncie Central High School and Burris Laboratory School during the Club’s annual Sophomore Honors Day luncheon on Thursday, May 4. As one way to support youth in our community, Exchange Club has hosted this event for more than 85 years. The purpose is to recognize students early in their high school careers and encourage and inspire them to continue to work…