Top 5 stories of 2024
No. 1 Dental duo
Father and son dentistry duo Robert Jensen ’85 and Christian Jensen ’17 feel called to their profession. And, in Flyers fashion, they also feel called to serve. They joined UD students on a Global Brigade trip to Panama and served as mentors to the future dentists and physicians. Their story, written by graduate assistant Zoë Hill ’22, was the top-read UD Magazine post from 2024.
No. 2 Home run
We love reading stories about Flyers who spread their wings. This year, junior Shelby LaMattina told of how she secured an internship with the New York Yankees. She pitched the boss and followed up regularly; the boss appreciated her persistence and hired her. LaMattina spent summer 2023 selling ticket plans to individuals and businesses, helping with group events on the field and media days, and providing customer service for Yankees ticket holders. She said, “I never would have had the courage to work for the Yankees if it wasn’t for UD.” Story was written by Sarina Tacovic.
No. 3 House names
Walk through the student neighborhood, and you can hear the houses almost speak their names: The Castle. Slanty. The Cabin. In the Summer 2024 UD Magazine, Zoë Hill ’22 explores seven houses (including The Neighborhood, pictured) and their affectionate nicknames in this Points Taken feature. And, of course, the pink house is named after Barbie.
No. 4 She said yes
Who doesn't like a good proposal post? This one has all the hallmarks of a great story: two Flyers, Reunion Weekend and the chapel as the backdrop. In "She said yes" by Alyana Yates ’22, we learned how Braden Ghilani ’19 planned to pop the question to Biz Migely ’19 in a manner that would create a memory to last a lifetime. UD Magazine got wind of it and helped share the good news. We wish them a happily ever after.
No. 5 Team players
When you come from a family of Flyers, it can be a lot of fun following in family members' footsteps — even if you need to wear different shoes. Sophomore Ava Larkin, a member of the volleyball team, is the daughter of golfer Chad Larkin ’00 and the granddaughter of basketballer Jim Larkin ’72. "I understood my place in the long line of Flyers before I even stepped foot on campus, but I didn’t quite understand the weight of this legacy until I was finally immersed in it," Ava Larkin writes in this piece, as told to her teammate, Alayna Yates ’22.
We wish you a storied 2025. Here's to good reading and writing ahead!