It’s no surprise to find Commencement and Flunk Day recaps among the most-read Knox news stories of 2018—these beloved campus traditions are perennial favorites. This year, however, readers expressed an even stronger interest in coverage of changes to Knox's academic programs.

1. Kai Campbell is named the new provost and dean of the College (February). Dean Campbell officially joined Knox in June, following a position as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Morehouse College, in Atlanta, Georgia.
2. Knox College ranks in the top 50 for best undergraduate teaching according to U.S. News & World Report (October). The start of the academic year at Knox also heralds the start of college rankings season. While Knox achieved its usual excellent rankings among national liberal arts colleges and as a college value, the College was gratified—though not surprised—to find itself among the top 50 colleges for the quality of its teaching.
3. The Knox community mourns the passing of Robin Metz (November). Professor Metz co-founded the Program in Creative Writing and taught at Knox for more than 50 years.
4. Knox introduces a bachelor of science degree option for nine science and mathematics disciplines (March). The bachelor of science degree will require additional science coursework beyond the requirements of the bachelor of arts option, as well as courses in a secondary scientific field. B.S. degrees are available in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, and psychology.
5. Vir Das ’02 returns to Galesburg as Commencement speaker (June). The most popular English-speaking comedian in India, Das has built a strong following in the United States as well, appearing on CONAN and starring in two Netflix comedy specials, Abroad Understanding and the new Losing It.
6. Civil Rights icon Elizabeth Eckford ’58 receives an honorary degree at Opening Convocation (September). Elizabeth Eckford, a member of the Little Rock Nine—the first Black students to enroll at previously segregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, attended Knox College for a year before completing her degree at Central State University in Ohio. She returned to campus to receive an honorary degree, to meet with students, and to share her journey with the community.
7. The Bright Institute announces its first cohort of scholars (February). The newly established Bright Institute brings scholars in early American history to the Knox campus to work on transforming their research into dynamic classroom experiences. Knox professor Cate Denial is the institute’s director.
8. In the wake of protests against gun violence, Knox College stands behind the right of student activists (February). The Office of Admission issued a statement guaranteeing that any disciplinary actions taken against student protestors would not adversely affect their admission decision.
9. Women’s and Men’s Soccer both win the Midwest Conference (MWC) Tournament Championship and advance to the NCAA tournament (November). Women’s Soccer made their second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament after winning the conference. Men’s Soccer has competed in the MWC Tournament for the last six years, but this was their first tournament championship.
10. Knox announces the return of the business and management major to its curriculum (August). In addition to a new major in environmental science and a new minor in peace and justice studies, the College launched a reimagined business major starting in fall 2018, with focus areas in finance/accounting, global business policy and management, human relations, mathematical finance, and environmental policy and management.

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