CULVER CITY, CALIF. (Nov. 19, 2010) - Hans von Walter, a 20-year-old biochemistry major at Southern Adventist University, placed third in the "Jeopardy!" College Championship, taking home $25,000 in cash winnings.  Von Walter competed against 14 undergraduates from across the country during the two-week competition.  This is the first time Southern Adventist University has been represented in the College Championship.

"Making it to the top three was an utter shock," von Walter said.  "It felt great to show that my little school could compete against some of the most well-known universities in the country and show my school pride.  It was hands down the best experience of my life."

Von Walter, who watched tonight's final match with a small group of friends, credits his performance to the supportive community at Southern Adventist.  "I'm immensely grateful to my teachers for working out my scholastic conflicts, my friends for their support and the administration for being so enthusiastic." 

Originally from Avon Park, Fla., von Walter is an officer of the pre-med club at the university and would like to attend medical school.  He plans to use his earnings to buy a new cello or travel through Asia and Australia.  "I don't think I'm going to be a completely different person now.  I still find myself ordering water at restaurants and driving around on $5 worth of gas," he joked.

Erin McLean, a sophomore at Boston University, finished first in the competition, winning $100,000.  Second place winner Sam Spaulding, a sophomore at Yale University, earned $50,000.

"Jeopardy!," the winner of 28 Emmy awards since its debut in 1984, was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most awards won by a TV Game Show. The series is the #1-rated quiz show in syndication with nearly 9 million daily viewers. "Jeopardy!" is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company. It is distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Television International, both units of CBS Corp. 

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