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University of Delaware sends off class of 2025

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University of Delaware sends off class of 2025


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  • University of Delaware’s class of 2025 features more than 6,400 graduates.
  • Dennis Assanis thanked the community at his final commencement as UD’s president.
  • Action News anchor Matt O’Donnell was the guest speaker.

The University of Delaware class of 2025 is off into the real world.

The university community of administrators, faculty, staff, graduating students and their loved ones poured into Delaware Stadium in Newark on a crisp morning May 24 to celebrate this year’s graduating class. Almost 6,500 graduates make up the class.

Of the total number, more than 4,800 are undergrads, and more than 1,600 are graduate students. About 42% of the class are Delawareans. UD President Dennis Assanis gave this class a unique distinction in his speech.

“Congratulations to the amazing class of 2025,” he said to the crowd. “The best class to ever graduate from the University of Delaware.”

It’s his last commencement ceremony as the president of the university. He has served as president since 2016 and oversaw the expansion of the Science, Technology and Advanced Research Campus; introduced new research opportunities; and oversaw the elevation of the school’s athletic program into Conference USA.

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“Over the years, we’ve been so impressed and so inspired by the drive, the dedication to the amazing talents of UD students,” he told students. “Thank you for the transformative and memorable time that we spent together.”

He thanked the university community and ended his remarks by taking a selfie from the stage with the students in the background.

He was awarded an honorary doctorate at the ceremony. Other people who received honorary distinctions were Wilmington Mayor John Carney, former MBNA executive John Cochran III, biologist and former UD Provost Robin Morgan, professor emerita of theatre and dance Lynette Young Overby, and ABC Action News anchor and guest speaker Matt O’Donnell.

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O’Donnell was tasked with this year’s guest speaking gig, following Joe Flacco in 2024, former astronaut Mae Jemison in 2023 and then-leader of the free world Joe Biden. O’Donnell’s speech related to students at his alma mater, UD, and challenged them to continue being authentic.

“You are doing these things because you are trying to experience what we took from you as parents when we gave you smartphones way too early and stopped allowing you to go out on your own; you are seeking authenticity,” he said in his speech. “You might be the anxious generation, but personally, I define you as something different. You are the disruption generation.”

One graduate, Devin Jiang from Brandywine Hundred, is looking toward the nation’s capital. At UD, he said he learned about politics and its inner workings and has worked in the White House and state Legislature during his Blue Hen tenure. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2024, the second Chinese-American to represent Delaware. He is now a staff assistant for Delaware’s senior senator, Chris Coons.

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“I just want to learn as much as I can about the federal government and represent Delaware on the national stage,” he said in an interview.

Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.



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Delaware

Wilmington mother seeks justice 3 years after son’s murder in Philadelphia

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Wilmington mother seeks justice 3 years after son’s murder in Philadelphia


WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — Three years after her son was fatally shot in West Philadelphia, Kameelah Torrance is still searching for answers and justice.

Samyr Walker, 19, was killed on September 4, 2022, while delivering food in his mother’s car. Torrance said Walker’s own vehicle had broken down the night before, prompting him to borrow hers to earn extra money.

“I get a phone call, I’m thinking it’s him,” Torrance recalled.

Philadelphia police said the shooting occurred around 1:45 p.m. at the Chick-A-Boom restaurant drive-thru on 46th Street and Lancaster Avenue. While waiting for his food, Walker reportedly had an interaction with another driver.

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“What I’m guessing is maybe he was on his phone and he accidentally tapped the bumper, which is what happened,” Torrance said.

Police said the altercation escalated when gunshots were fired from the suspect’s car as Walker exited his vehicle to retrieve his order. A passenger in Walker’s car also returned fire. Authorities believe the motive was road rage.

According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, detectives located the vehicle believed to be involved and interviewed both the owner and the reported driver. However, no arrests have been made.

The DA’s office said it has extended victim support services to Walker’s family and the affected community.

Torrance described her son, affectionately called “Meer Meer,” as “a very happy-go-lucky kid.”

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“Every time you see him, he was always smiling, silly, liked to have fun, very family oriented,” said Torrance.

She said the lack of closure has made the loss even harder to bear.

“No closure, sleepless nights, it’s just been horrible,” she said. “It’s not fair that my son is gone and you’re walking around free, freely doing whatever. His life was cut short.”

Torrance said she still texts Walker’s phone number and mourns the future he was denied.

“He won’t be able to get married, have children, become something of himself. He was robbed of that and it’s not fair,” she said.

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Police say the investigation remains active and ongoing. Torrance and law enforcement are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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*Update – Victim Identified* State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

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*Update – Victim Identified* State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware


Date Posted: Sunday, September 14th, 2025

Delaware State Police have identified 14-year-old Reis Yoc-Santos, of Dover, Delaware, as the teenager who died in the fatal crash involving a school bus and an electric bicycle that occurred Friday afternoon in Dover.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Master Corporal W. Booth at (302) 698-8451. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

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14-year-old boy dead, one teen hospitalized after e-bike runs stop sign, collides with bus in Delaware

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14-year-old boy dead, one teen hospitalized after e-bike runs stop sign, collides with bus in Delaware


A tragic crash involving a school bus and an electric bicycle claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy in Dover.

Deadly collision with bus 

What we know:

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The crash happened around 4 p.m. on West Lebanon Road as a school bus was turning onto Royal Grant Way, according to police. The electric bicycle, ridden by a 16-year-old with a 14-year-old passenger, did not stop at a posted bicycle stop sign and collided with the bus.

The 14-year-old passenger of the e-bike was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The 16-year-old operator suffered serious injuries. Neither of the teenagers were wearing a helmet, police said.

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The bus was affiliated with the Caesar Rodney School District and driven by a 75-year-old man from Magnolia, who was not injured. Twenty-one students on the bus were unharmed.

The road was closed for about four hours for investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit. The investigation is still ongoing.

Ongoing questions for authorities

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Authorities are urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward. Witnesses can contact Master Corporal W. Booth or send a message to the Delaware State Police.

If you have information, reach out to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333. Victims and witnesses needing support can contact the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit at 1-800-VICTIM-1.

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