Top stories of 2017

It marked the 175th anniversary of the College's founding and 500 years since Martin Luther launched the Reformation. It also was an election year for Virginia, which not only garnered national attention, but kept the Roanoke College Institute for Policy and Opinion Research on its toes. The College reached new heights with a record six students receiving Fulbright awards, and the Maroons baseball team making its way to the NCAA Division III World Series.
What a year!

On Instagram, where it's all about the beautiful images. One of the top photos was a drone shot of the Elizabeth Campus and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

Another was the giant "175" photo, taken from Kerr Stadium and featuring hundreds of students, faculty, staff, retirees and friends.

We loved the "175" image in snow as well, lovingly stamped out in footprints by two Roanoke students. The photo was posted by the students then picked up by the College on Facebook.

Speaking of Facebook, some of the stories that generated the most engagement included several from the opening of school — the First Day of School photos, the move-in video, freshmen signing in during the Induction Ceremony, and the fun, dancing-in-the-aisles video from the Quantico Marine Corps Band concert.

The College's introduction-to-the-Roanoke-Valley video was a popular one—not unusual, as just about any post featuring the beauty of the Roanoke Valley generates lots of likes and shares.

Stories about rapper Wale's concert and the debut of Soaring Ridge Craft Brewer's "Kicking Post" beer also were popular stories, along with the Slang Quiz, Part 2.

The 175th anniversary video was another popular anniversary item. The May Term Travel post showed images captured by students traveling the globe.

Also popular were alumni stories such as the "Top Cop" award received by Stanley Meador '96, an FBI agent, and the "Differ-abilities" class taught by Frances Bosch '99, who also launched a "Toy Like Me" organization to create toys that represent children with disabilities.

The commencement Snapchat photo, taken by President Mike Maxey, and the commencement video both celebrated the Class of 2017.

The Maxeys version of American Gothic was a hit.

Perhaps one of the most exciting was the Maroons baseball team's appearance in the Division III College World Series.

Take a look back at the top 17 stories from Roanoke.edu/News.

1. Roanoke College Poll on Virginia Gubernatorial election
2. Roanoke College remembers President Emeritus Dr. Norman Fintel, 1925-2017   
3. Local donor establishes $2.35 million scholarship for exceptional students
4. Maroons Baseball in the D3 World Series  
5. Roanoke in the Princeton Review's Best 382 Colleges - 2018 Edition
6. Roanoke student recognized for spirit, enthusiasm in Washington internship program
7. Roanoke College Poll on the 2017 session of the Virginia General Assembly
8. New Kicking Post brew named for Roanoke College  
9. Roanoke celebrates 175th anniversary during Alumni Weekend
10. Record number of Roanoke students are Fulbright finalists  
11. Bittle Tree of Life Cross is Antrim Chapel's newest symbolic fixture  
12. Roanoke students earn a record five Fulbrights  Editor's note: another Fulbright award came in later for a record SIX Fulbrights 
13. Meet the Maroons: The Benne Family  
14. May Term classes take students around the world (with video)  
15. Guarino named Roanoke's sixth Fulbright for 2017
16. Roanoke graduates 441  
17. Roanoke loses respected sociology professor