The opening of the Whitcomb Art Center was one of the top stories of 2016, as was Commencement 2016, where U.S. Senator Dick Durbin gave the Commencement address. Another top story? Knox's high ranking in Forbes magazine's Grateful Graduates Index.

And, as it is every year, Flunk Day was also popular with students and alumni.

Of the more than 170 news stories published on the Knox College website by the Knox Office of Communications in 2016, these were the top five most-viewed stories of the year:

1. College Unveils New Prairie Fire Mascot. At Pumphandle in September, students, faculty, and staff learned that the new Prairie Fire Mascot was a fox and viewed the new logo for the first time. The following month at Homecoming, the Knox community met the costumed mascot, which students named Blaze.
   
   
2. Knox Adds Three (Plus One!) New Minors. Early last year, Knox added three new minors in the sciences: health studies, statistics, and astronomy. The following month, the college added a new minor in design.
   
   
3. Five Receive Alumni Achievement Awards. At Founders Day Convocation, psychologist Thomas E. Brown ‘64, attorney Marcea Bland Lloyd ‘68, film and television producer Rachel Abarbanell ‘02, physician Ernest Buck ‘74, and artist Katie Bell ‘08 all returned to campus to be recognized for their service with Alumni Achievement Awards.
   
   
4. 40 Students Produce Two Theatre Productions in 10 Weeks. Every three years, 40 Knox students combine the academic study of theatre with the experience of forming a repertory company that produces two fully staged productions during Repertory Theatre Term. This year's productions were fantasies—Neil Gaman's Neverwhere and The Secret in the Wings.
   
   
5. Knox Welcomes First Director of Spiritual Life. Lisa Seiwert joined the Knox community in August and is now helping students, faculty, and staff navigate their personal, ethical and spiritual lives. The new position is funded through donor support.

Keep up with Knox news on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) or by visiting www.knox.edu/news.