Jan. 9, 2015

Year in review 2014

A look back at 2014’s most popular VCU news stories, videos, Instagram pics and more

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As we dive into 2015 ram horns first, it’s worth taking a moment to pause and reflect on the year behind us. It was a busy year for Virginia Commonwealth University, full of accomplishments, discoveries, hard work, and even a touch of romance (see No. 2 on the list of top news stories below).

We’ve compiled lists of 2014’s top news stories, videos, Facebook posts, and more — in order of popularity — to help you recall the year or bring you up to speed on anything you missed. For an even more comprehensive review of what VCU’s been up to, be sure to take a look at the newly released 2013-14 Presidential Annual Report.

Top 10 news stories from 2014

1. Last seat in medical school holds great honor

After he'd given up hope, Bentley Massey learned he'd earned the last spot in the incoming medical school class, which comes with a scholarship.
After he'd given up hope, Bentley Massey learned he'd earned the last spot in the incoming medical school class, which comes with a scholarship.
  1. 2. VCU love stories
  2. 3. The other side of Havoc
  3. 4. VCU student first in Richmond auditions to advance to next round of ‘American Idol’
  4. 5. A family’s fortitude: Forced to flee Iraq, the Aldajaeis have been through a lot together
  5. 6. Creative platform: The newly renovated Depot is a dazzling feat of adaptive reuse
  6. 7. What’s new at VCU
  7. 8. Snuffing out the silent killer
  8. 9. Follow your arts: A preview of spring’s cultural events at VCU in 2014
  9. 10. Back to the future: VCU notables answer the question, “What do you wish you knew when you were a college freshman?”

 

Top 10 research stories from 2014

1. Snuffing out the silent killer

A VCU alum has developed an injectable antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning.
A VCU alum has developed an injectable antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning.
  1. 2. 16 best-kept secrets of VCU’s massive comics collection
  2. 3. VCU unveils rare collection of Virginia civil rights protest photographs
  3. 4. Reptile Database surpasses 10,000 reptile species
  4. 5. VCU researchers discover that schizophrenia risk is diminished by high IQ
  5. 6. Saving football
  6. 7. The Reptile Database
  7. 8. Small wonders: The microscopic images currently on display at the Tompkins-McCaw Library prove that the beauty of science is in the details
  8. 9. Professor traces evolution of Grimm fairy tales, starting with ‘Cinderella’
  9. 10. VCU professor receives $2.66 million grant to study anti-bullying programs in Richmond middle schools

 

Top 5 videos from 2014

1. VCU Make It Real — Moments

Video description goes here
  1. 2. The Other Side of Havoc
  2. 3. Behind the Scenes with the VCU Peppas
  3. 4. Happy Holidays from VCU!
  4. 5. A Day in the Life of a Medical Student

 

Top 5 Facebook posts of 2014 (by number of “likes”)

1. School of Dentistry – White Coat Ceremony surprise visit

2. Today we are all Wahoos

3. Maya Angelou tribute

4. Top 10 hospitals to work for

5. Teddy Goalsevelt at the World Cup

 

Top 5 Instagram posts of 2014 (by number of “likes”)

1.  Holiday lights in downtown Richmond

2.  Basketball coach Shaka Smart in action

3.  The VCU holiday sweater

4.  A quiet Shafer Court during exam week

5.  Shafer Court on a rainy November day

 

Top 5 Twitter posts (by overall engagement)

1. Battle for the Capital

2. Game day at Siegel Center

3. Convocation 2014

4. The Smarts make Style Weekly’s “40 Under 40” list

5. 2014 Welcome Week block party

 

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