Morgan Durick ('18) Brings DMC to Magnolia

The winter 2023 Magnolia Journal featured the 50+ year friendship of Des Moines Christian School bus drivers, Lin Thornton and Betty Golay. How did this magazine based in Waco, Texas, find out about this pair in Urbandale, Iowa? DMC alumna Morgan Durick (‘18) made the connection. She has been a full-time writer at Magnolia since March of 2023. 

How did this story idea come together? 
One of my favorite things about Magnolia is how everything the company does is driven by a seasonal theme. Occasionally, the Magnolia Journal team puts out an all call for story ideas. This past winter, the theme was connection. I sat with that word and pondered what two people I know who reflect that word—Lin and Betty immediately came to mind. I’ve seen each of these women impact me, my classmates, and my family through their devoted grit and love. They are true Proverbs 31 women leaving a legacy wherever they go!
 
What brought to mind these two ladies?  
I went to Des Moines Christian from kindergarten to the 12th grade. Every memory I have of field trips, show choir competitions, and games is tethered to one, or both, of these wonderful women. If I saw Lin, Betty was most likely close by—and vice versa. They both model biblical friendship and womanhood in such a pure way. Two women doing decades of deeply impactful life together and sharpening one another along the way. 

What is your role at Magnolia? 
I work as a writer on the Brand Team at Magnolia in Waco, Texas. My daily duties truly differ every day, but can range from writing blog posts, social media captions, emails, in-store signage, marketing collateral, and more. Occasionally, I also get to contribute to the quarterly magazine, Magnolia Journal. To sum it up, storytelling is at the root of my everyday, and I couldn’t be more thankful for it.
 
How did DMC help prepare you for life after graduation? 
Des Moines Christian was (and still is!) absolutely imperative to many developments. At a young age, I grew a vision for the future and a deep desire to integrate Christ into every facet of my life, including vocation. Each day, I learned something new about Jesus and the Bible and also was surrounded by examples of what it looks like to take that knowledge from head, to heart, to life. DMC provided me with a safe place to dream and a solid foundation to grow deep roots, which in turn gave me the courage to live fully in the world without being of it.