From budgets and bailouts to football and flu, it has been a busy year. Below, we’ve compiled some of the biggest headlines that hit the pages of the paper since January — so take a look back at what made 2009 a year to remember.

January

Jan. 11 — Economic woes cause additional cuts in the university’s budget

Jan. 11 — Athletic director, coaches will work week without pay

Jan. 13 — Culver asks for $700 million – Governor asks legislature for bond, grant program for flood repair, economy

Jan. 20 — Barack Obama becomes nation’s 44th President

Jan. 22 — New administration includes staffers with deep Iowa roots

Jan. 28 — Culver unveils state budget proposal – Governor proposes no new taxes, tapping state cash reserves

Jan. 29 — More budget cuts on the way for Regents, Iowa State

February

Feb. 5 — Complaint filed against Iowa State over furloughs

Feb. 10 — ISU officials consider ways to deal with budget cuts

Feb. 23 — Number of staff taking furloughs grows to 250

March

March 2 — Boggess’ letter sparks controversy

Mar. 19 — Regents approve retirement incentive plan at Geoffroy’s request

April

April 3 — Groups react to gay marriage ruling

April 5 — Jury finds Spellman guilty of first degree murder

April 5 — Culver releases final budget, where stimulus money will go

April 9 — College of Business to begin differential tuition this summer

April 13 — Turk and Peterson officially take office

April 14 — Budget cuts result in increased class sizes

April 16 — White officially takes dean title

April 20 — Wickert fulfills dream as new dean

April 27 — Geoffroy announces final cut amount

April 30 — Regents approve ISU extension restructure

April 30 — Geoffroy presents university budget to Regents

May

May 21 — Chrysler to leave Story County

June

June 8 — Memorial honors ISU music professor

June 8 — Man falls down elevator shaft at legacy tower

June 12 — Geoffroy further details cuts at Regents meeting

June 19 — New contract makes Rhoads the highest paid ISU employee

June 24 — Pollard renews contract, wins praise from Geoffroy

June 24 — Football coaches’ salaries consistently higher than professors’

July

July 2 — More than 150 employees take early retirement

July 13 — Father to sue elevator company

August

Aug. 23 — Cashing in – Dealers weigh in at end of Cash for Clunkers program

Aug. 31 — New hub could boost Ames economy

September

Sept. 9 — 2009 student enrollment numbers highest in years

Sept. 16 — State revenue expected to be $800 million short

Sept. 21 — Geoffroy outlines challenges, awards professors at convocation

Sept. 27 — Decades of service end with closure of Benson Motor

Sept. 29 — Two involved in Monday shooting had troubled relationship

Sept. 29 — UPDATE: Police identify two involved in Monday’s shooting

Sept. 29 — Petition challenges chapel

Sept. 29 — Geoffroy answers questions on budget, strategic planning and tuition

October

Oct. 8 — Culver issues 10 percent cut; Regents’ portion about $60 million

Oct. 13 — Turk: Stop cutting university budgets

Oct. 15 — Regents president proposes tuition surcharge

Oct. 24 — Another streak ended: Huskers fall 9-7

Oct. 29 — ISU plan approved by Regents

Oct. 29 — Students may pay $100 tuition surcharge for spring 2010

November

Nov. 3 — Wacha beats out incumbent Rice for Ward 1 seat

Nov. 3 — ISU professor named new at-large councilman

Nov. 5 — ISU Extension reorganized

Nov. 30 — Connecting with customers – Networking online allows two-way communication

Nov. 30 — Student reaction to cuts differs from state to state

December

Dec. 1 — Geoffroy: ‘Restructuring seems inevitable’

Dec. 2 — Davis unseats Doll in Ward 3 runoff

Dec. 3 — A fatal mistake

Dec. 6 — FOOTBALL: Cyclones accept bid to play in Insight Bowl

Dec. 6 — Connecting religions

Dec. 10 — Regents approve $100 surcharge

Dec. 12 — REC forecasts Iowa’s Revenue

Dec. 16 — Deans address faculty in first of budget cut open forums