A message from DP Editor-in-Chief, Jonah Charlton

To the DP’s unparalleled alumni, As I prepare to depart from my role as the DP’s Editor-in-Chief, I can say with complete certainty that the company’s future is brighter than ever. I began my tenure as Editor-in-Chief with three very specific goals: improve and build relationships with University administrators, revamp the daily newsletter and overall digital product, and create a pipeline of young talent ready to take on leadership roles within the DP — all while prioritizing student wellness above all else. I can say with confidence that my team and I were able to achieve these goals and far surpass many of my expectations. Building trust-filled, long-standing relationships with sources across the University and city is paramount to the DP’s success as a publication and has always been my top priority as a journalist. This year, the DP has formed new connections with top University administrators, city officials, and campus activists, while also working to rebuild bridges with sources who have had negative interactions with the DP in the past and to learn from these interactions.

As you hopefully have noticed by now, the DP’s daily newsletter has completely rebranded in 2022, with a new look, feel, and tone. By adding new components including a daily “Newsletter Anchor” to take you through the day’s news and the hit section “Today in DP History,” which looks back on the stories from years past that defined your time at Penn, we have seen a consistently higher interaction rate with newsletters this year when compared to historical data. We’ve also invested time into maximizing the reach of the DP’s mobile app and various social media channels. The Great Resignation and the COVID-19 pandemic more broadly hit the DP incredibly hard. Our model as a student publication with experienced people consistently making the arguably selfish decision to graduate from Penn and thus leave the company was only exacerbated by the pandemic, leaving individuals with less in-person experience to take on top roles. As such, I wanted to replenish this talent pipeline and I’m happy to say we did just that. This fall, we brought on 46 news general assignments reporters and over 30 sports reporters as a part of this effort. We have also developed a plethora of talent that will lead the DP next year and beyond, with nearly every one of our internal editors planning to stay on in their current capacity or run for a new board position. As I now prepare to make the selfish decision to graduate from Penn and leave the DP myself, I want to take a moment to share my gratitude for your continued support. The alumni community (special shoutout to my DP mentor Bryan Harris who I have been lucky to lean on for advice over the past year) is something that makes the DP special and a group I am excited to join. Without your support, dedication, and expertise, so much of what we do would not be possible and I — as well as our entire team — are incredibly grateful. The future at the DP is bright and I look forward to watching how the company’s next leaders make that future even brighter.

Without your support, dedication, and expertise, so much of what we do would not be possible and I — as well as our entire team — are incredibly grateful.