The inauguration of Auburn University's 19th president, Dr. Steven Leath, is Access Auburn's top story of 2017.

Top Ten Stories for 2017   1. President Leath   2. Desks & Destruction   3. Blue Wave?   4. Athletics Awry   5. Transit Rape   6. Passings   7. Gov. Tubs?   8. 700 is Enough   9. Iron Chef Auburn 10. Kick A**!

1. Dr. Steven Leath was named President of Auburn University. Dr. Leath was formerly President of Iowa State University.

2. Entire blocks of Downtown Auburn fell to the wrecking ball as new high-density housing and entertainment transforms the downtown district. Meanwhile, new classrooms are underway on campus and the new Auburn High School opened its doors this Fall.

3. Hundreds of yards signs for Doug Jones provided only a hint what was to come as the underdog Democrat carried 67% of Auburn voters in the special election for the U.S. Senate.

4. After major scandals and firings engulfed the Auburn Softball and Men's Basketball programs, and lawsuits were filed by former coaches in other sports, embattled Athletics Director Jay Jacobs announced his impending retirement.

5. The Auburn campus was rocked by reports of a sexual assault against a young woman aboard a Tiger Transit bus. The accused assailants were Tiger Transit drivers.

6. In 2017, Auburn gave a final salute to an American hero, Gen. Hal Moore, and lost a three-year-old princess, Sadie Andrews, in a bizarre accident. Also, closing its doors for the last time at the end of 2017, we bid adieu to the Auburn institution, Flowersmith's.

7. This year, we watched the on again, off again (and now maybe on again) flirtation with gubernatorial politics by former Auburn football coach, Tommy Tuberville.

8. After attending 700 consecutive Auburn Football games, former Auburn Sports Information Director, Buddy Davidson decided to skip the trip to Baton Rouge for Auburn's 27-23 loss to LSU.

9. David Bancroft, uber-chef of the Auburn restaurant Acre added to his growing reputation by bring home a win on the prestigious Iron Chef Showdown on the Food Network.

10. Auburn Football ended the conference schedule with back-to-back beatdows over SEC rivals Georgia and Alabama. Auburn outscored the then top ranked traditional opponents by a 66-31 combined score.