BEULAH, N.D. (AP) _ A United States Naval Academy student from North Dakota who has an interest in the Middle East is one of 32 American college students named Sunday as a prestigious Rhode Scholar.
Twenty-one-year-old Christian Heller, of Beulah, says he will study Middle Eastern studies while at Oxford. He says he hopes to study the similarities and differences between the oil boom in North Dakota and the Middle East.
Heller says he was surprised to find out he won. He says all the candidates were extremely qualified for the position.
Heller plans to study at Oxford for two years and then enter the Marine Corps.
Heller is also passionate about fitness. He lost 115 pounds in order to attend the Naval Academy and recently completed his first marathon.
