Colts Neck College Senior Among 2018 Prestigious Rhodes Scholars

By Carol Williams/Patch Staff

COLTS NECK, NJ - Christopher J. D'Urso, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, will be traveling "across the pond" to study at Oxford University as one of 32 Class of 2018 Rhodes Scholars. D'Urso, who lives in the township when he is not at school, was well known in his high school where he served on the Superintendent's Cabinet for the entire Freehold Regional High School District. The cabinet is sort of an advisory board for school administrators. In the Spring, D'Urso will receive a bachelors degree in International Relations from U of Penn and be simultaneously awarded a masters degree in Public Administration through the university’s Fels Institute of Government.

He has a perfect grade-point average in both programs, according to his biography submitted to the Rhodes Committee. However, the bio said, "Christopher cares deeply about consumer protection and testified before Congress in 2014 on revamping country of origin labeling laws."

D'Urso also established “Penn CASE,” an organization designed to provide consumer assistance, support and education to Philadelphia residents and Penn students. He is the editor-in-chief
of Sigma Iota Rho’s Journal of International Relations and was selected by the university to represent the student body on the University’s Task Force on Safe and Responsible Campus Community.

D'Urso will study for a master's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at
Oxford beginning in October. He is one of 32 students endorsed by their schools and universities for the right to apply for a Rhodes. According to the scholars program, the group considered 866 candidates who earned the endorsement of their respective schools. Some 2,500 candidates sought to be considered for the 2018 class.

The program provides funding to scholars to study at Oxford for two or three years although occasionally a fourth year is permitted.

A view of Oxford University's historic campus

Photograph by Lefteris Pitarakis/Associated Press