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West Haven, Conn., June 17, 2009-University of New Haven (UNH) criminal justice student and Killingworth, Conn. resident, Christopher DiStefano '10, is now known as "the new hero of Omaha" by his fellow classmates for his brave act of saving two drowning children at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on May 28, 2009. While touring the historic beaches of Normandy during the UNH Art and Science Summer Study Abroad Program, Christopher came upon a French couple screaming frantically and pointing toward the ocean. Though unable to translate French, he noticed a young boy struggling to keep his head above water. He immediately removed his clothes, dove into the water, and began swimming. Once he reached the boy-40 yards out-he discovered a second child completely submerged under water, the young boy's sister. He helped the boy swim to shore and swam back to save the other child. Both children were brought to shore safely and reunited with their grateful parents.
"I saw what was happening and knew I couldn't just stand there, doing nothing," said DiStefano, who hopes to eventually join a police force in New Haven County. "I just needed to do it. It was quite an experience and it made the trip even more meaningful."
DiStefano had taken, and passed, the Connecticut State Police examination prior to heading to Europe, and plans to attend the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden, Conn. after graduation.
Prior to departing the U.S. for the UNH Art and Science Summer Study Abroad Program, DiStefano and his fellow students spent five weeks at UNH researching and preparing for their two-week journey through England and France. Upon completion of the program, students earn credits in art history and the history of World War II. DiStefano said he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity before graduating next year.
A leader in experiential education, the University of New Haven is experiencing a historic and nationally recognized surge in enrollment. Founded in 1920, the University provides its students with a unique combination of solid liberal arts and real-world, hands-on professional training. UNH is a private university with an 80-acre main campus. The University has an enrollment of more than 5,200; approximately 1,700 graduate students and more than 3,500 undergraduates, 70 percent of whom reside in University housing. The University offers more than 80 undergraduate degrees and more than 25 graduate degrees through its five colleges, in fields such as sports management, nutrition, forensic science, music and sound recording, engineering, computer science and criminal justice. University College at UNH develops programs and courses to meet the emerging educational and training needs of educators, businesses and public and social agencies, focusing on academic excellence, convenience and flexibility. University of New Haven students study abroad through a variety of distinctive programs.
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