In the coming weeks Hamilton’s Communications Department will review the college news that received the most interest from national and local media during 2015. Here’s a look back at the stories that garnered the greatest attention on Hamilton’s news site each month this year, based on the number of views.
The death of Donald Brandreth Potter, professor of geology emeritus, drew the most attention from alumni and other news site readers in January.
A story about a panel of faculty experts, who gathered to discuss the topic "Is Islam to Blame for Isis/Terrorism?” got more than 1,450 page views in February.
News of the conversion of the former Minor Theater to Morris House, a residence hall of suites housing 52 students, was the top story for March.
One of the most-read stories of 2015 on Hamilton’s news site was “Shelter-in-Place Order Lifted on April 13.” That day Campus Safety received a bomb threat and the caller referenced a possible shooting at the Kirner-Johnson Building. The college immediately instituted an evacuation order for KJ and a shelter-in-place order for the south side of the campus. The order to shelter-in-place was extended to the entire campus a short time later.
Many readers were interested in learning about the annual Class & Charter Day awards in May. More than 2,100 readers viewed the story naming the prize and scholarship recipients.
Civil rights lawyer and alumna Mary L. Bonauto '83 made national news in June when she was one of the attorneys who successfully argued against same-sex marriage bans before the Supreme Court. A story on Hamilton’s site included comments from alumni about the court's decision.
On June 30, The New York Times published a letter to the editor penned by President Joan Hinde Stewart about the possible removal of Alexander Hamilton from the $10 bill under the headline “Don't Diminish Hamilton.” A story on Hamilton’s news site about the letter in the Times was the most-read in July.
The most popular story viewed in August concerned the arrival of Hamilton’s Class of 2019. Many photos showed the new students getting acquainted with life on the Hill.
A story about the death of Alumni Review editor emeritus Frank Lorenz had the most views for the month of September. The long-time editor died following a series of strokes.
Many website readers were interested in learning that Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson will be the next Great Names speaker in April. The October story announcing Tyson had more than 1,500 views.
The November 13 Paris terrorist attacks led to a story about the status of Hamilton’s students on the program in France. All students were accounted for and safe.
In December, the naming of David Wippman as Hamilton’s 20th president drew many readers to a story and to the new president’s page. The University of Minnesota law school dean’s appointment is effective July 1, 2016.
