As the holiday season approaches, it’s inevitable that your televisions and radios will soon be filled with all sorts of countdowns from 2011: the top 100 songs, the top 20 hottest celebrities, the top 10 highest grossing movies, just to name a few.

Brock Alumni Relations wanted to join in the fun so we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 articles read in the Brock Alumni Connect e-newsletter over the past year.  We used Google Analytics to find the articles with the highest unique page views, so some of these stories may look familiar to you. Take a look to see what your fellow alumni have been doing since January or what has been happening around campus.

10. Grad Spotlight: 15-year Brock student, Nancy Diamond
Four hundred and forty people viewed this July article about Nancy Diamond (BA ’96), who completed her business and psychology degrees in 15 years on a part-time basis, while working full time at Kelly Services and engaging with her adult children and three grandchildren.

9. Alumni Sweethearts
Many couples meet and fall in love at Brock, and 457 people viewed this article about Bradley Walchuk (BA ’07; MA ’08) and Laura Harris (BA ’07; MA ’08) in particular, who met in class and were married on Oct. 16, 2010.  This article was featured in the January issue of Brock Alumni Connect.

8. Brock Lore: Pond Inlet named to recognize historic Convocation
Did you know that Pond Inlet on campus was not named for the pond and waterfall outside its beautiful glass doors? In the June edition, 643 people learned it was named after a special graduation ceremony in Pond Inlet, Baffin Island.

7. Grape King hails from Brock – again
Ed Hughes (OEVC ’07) is a grad who was crowned this year’s Grape King in the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, and 698 read his story in the September issue. Hughes graduated in 2007 with a certificate in Grape and Wine Technology.

6.  Alumni sweethearts get engaged at Brock pool
Another beautiful alumni sweethearts story was featured in the September  issue. Mark Walter (BPhEd ’09) and Michelle Valencourt (BSc ’10) were engaged on campus, and 831 readers enjoyed their story.

5.  Nine Brock grads among “40 Under Forty”
The May article, which highlighted the nine Brock graduates who received the Business Link’s 40 Under Forty Business Achievement Award, attracted 875 readers.

4.  Grads with organic strawberry business win Nitsopoulos award
Marty Verhey (BBA ’10) and Nico Verhoef (BBA ’10) founded Perfect Patch Organic Growers, a Niagara company that uses leading-edge technology to grow strawberries. Their innovation won the annual $10,000 Nitsopoulos Award. The story, which appeared in the July edition, drew 958 readers.

3. Brock Lore: Statue shoulder stolen in monumental prank
The left shoulder from the Queenston Heights statue of Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock ended up on the Brock campus, and 1,001 people read the tale in the April issue.

2. Do what you love: Jays GM
Alex Anthopoulos, general manager and senior vice-president of baseball operations for the Toronto Blue Jays, and Brock alumnus Andrew Tinnish (BRLS ’99, BSM ’01), Jays director of scouting, visited Brock on Jan. 19. The article attracted 1,349 people.

1. Brock Lore: Sculpture causes controversy
If you guessed that the number one spot would be another Brock Lore story, you’re correct.  More than 1,850 people viewed the article, which was featured in the January edition. It’s no surprise that a story on the  “Brock Bullet” was the most read article of 2011.

We hope that you enjoyed a look back at the top 10 most-read Brock alumni articles. Look for more great Brock stories in Brock Alumni Connect in 2012.

Brock Alumni Relations wishes everyone safe and happy holidays. Happy New Year!