Pete Finley, who also lives in Vineland, is a 1953 graduate of the school, and his father was a devoted La Salle alum who has an award at the university named after him. Pete’s son Matthew was graduated from La Salle, so if Danielle went there, that would make four generations of Finley’s to become Lasallians.

“Ever since I can remember, my grandfather has been telling me that La Salle is the best and only choice for college,” said Danielle Finley. “Every time I saw him he would hand me an article from the La Salle magazine or newspaper.”

“It wasn’t until mid-April that I made my decision. I wanted to surprise him,” said Danielle Finley. “I bought a La Salle tee-shirt and had ‘My Ritzy goes to’ put on the front above the school’s name. Ritzy is a nickname my grandfather has called me since I was little. And on the back I put ‘Pop-Pop Class of ’53.’ I don’t think I ever saw my grandfather happier than when I gave him that shirt.”

“I am very honored to have her go to La Salle,” said Pete. Finley. “I was so touched when she gave me that shirt.”

A pre-med major, Danielle said, “La Salle had everything I was looking for: it’s small, has a good pre-med program, it’s close enough to my house that I can go home on weekends, it has a spread out campus, and it’s in the city but not in center city.”

“I was always told such great things about La Salle, and so far everything has been true,” said Danielle. “I’m really glad I chose to come here and glad I was able to make my grandfather so proud.”

Pete Finley’s father was graduated from La Salle in 1924. Each year the John Finley Medal is awarded to an alumnus who has provided great service to the University.