Jennifer Mearns named to Indiana Humanities board
MUNCIE, Ind. — Jennifer Proud Mearns, first lady of Ball State University, has been named to the board of directors for Indiana Humanities, a statewide nonprofit organization.
Based out of Indianapolis, Indiana Humanities "infuses the humanities into the daily lives of those across the state by providing grants, convening discussions, uplifting humanities scholars, spotlighting humanities organizations and activities, and creating programs that help Hoosiers think, read, and talk," according to a release issued by Ball State.
“I look forward to supporting Indiana Humanities in its efforts to create, support, convene, and fund projects across the state, particularly with our wonderful partners in Muncie and across East Central Indiana," Mearns said in the release.
Indiana Humanities is a nonpartisan, independent nonprofit governed by a volunteer board of Indiana educators and business and community leaders. Six of the members are nominated by the board of directors and appointed by the governor of Indiana, while the others are selected from nominations solicited annually from the public.
One of five new members recently selected to the Indiana Humanities board, Mearns has more than two decades of experience in executive recruiting and 15 years of experience in the sports marketing industry.
In May 2017, she began her service as first lady of Ball State when her husband, Geoffrey S. Mearns, became the university's president.
Wilbur Wright Trail opens in Henry County
NEW CASTLE, Ind. — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Health Communities of Henry County has opened the recently completed Wilbur Wright Trail.The 2.6-mile asphalt multi-use trail was constructed by Healthy Communities of Henry County with help from a $1.3 million Next Level Trails grant. The new trail was built on former railroad corridor beginning at Henry County Road 625-E in Blue River Township. The trail extends northeast through the town of Mooreland to County Road 525-N alongside U.S. 36 where it ends.
The trail is a part of a larger visionary trail network to connect to the existing Wilbur Wright Trail in New Castle, as well as to the Cardinal Greenway in Losantville. Key partners for the project include the town of Mooreland and Henry County.“As a state visionary trail, the Wilbur Wright Trail is an excellent example of how Healthy Communities of Henry County and our partners connect people and communities through trails,” Jeff Ray, the organization’s trails director said in a release.
“This 2.6-mile segment is helping us open new opportunities for families and individuals to enjoy the outdoors in the Mooreland area. We are only 2.12 miles from connecting Mooreland to the Cardinal Greenway in Losantville.”
Local man presented with Sagamore award
MUNCIE, Ind. — Don Finnegan, a local advocate for veterans, has been presented with a Sagamore of the Wabash award.
State Rep. J.D. Prescott of Union City recently presented the honor to Finnegan. The Delaware County man, whose son and father served in the military, serves as president of the Indiana chapter of Honor and Remember, which works to recognize the sacrifice of fallen service members by presenting flags to Gold Star families. As president, Finnegan worked to have the Honor and Remember Flag adopted as Indiana's official symbol to recognize fallen service members.
"This Veterans Day weekend was an appropriate time to recognize a man who has worked so hard in our community and state to ensure fallen military members are never forgotten," Prescott said in a release.
Finnegan also serves as director for Indiana Run for the Fallen, a marathon that spans 140 miles over three days. Runners stop at each mile marker to read off the names of fallen Indiana service men and women.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Jennifer Mearns named to Indiana Humanities board
