UD students win game-show money, show class

4:28 p.m., Nov. 30, 2006--Dina DiEleuterio, a senior from Wilmington who will graduate in January with a bachelor's degree in psychology, and Rob Greathouse, a sophomore from Newark majoring in food science and technology, both competed in televised game shows last week that tested more than their academic skills.

DiEleuterio, who appeared on a 12:30 p.m. WPVI-TV6 broadcast of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? on Tuesday, Nov. 21, put her grace and poise on display as unusual questions left even her phone-a-friends scratching their heads. And Greathouse, who appeared on a 7:30 p.m. WPVI-TV6 broadcast of Wheel of Fortune on Thanksgiving Day, kept his sportsmanship skills in the spotlight as the wheel went its own unpredictable way and the threat of getting hauled offstage loomed at the back of his mind.

“At one point, I was asked twice on a puzzle,” Greathouse said, recalling a particularly tense moment, “But I just tried to concentrate and clap and smile while manipulating the wheel. They tell you that if you freeze, they'll have to replace you with a stand-in, so you have to keep your energy high.”

Sophomore Rob Greathouse won $8,550 on ‘Wheel of Fortune.’

His equanimity and stage presence held, however, and paid off handsomely as he walked away with $8,550 in winnings--money he said he plans to divide among school expenses, IRA and mutual fund investments, contributions to his mom and a spring break vacation.

“None of the money is mine yet,” he said, explaining that he won't see the check until sometime in March. “I didn't get into the second round, but I did finish second (against two other contestants) and I had a great experience. It's not something that a lot of people have the opportunity to do.” Of the $8,550 that he earned, $1,000 is in gift certificates to the Hawaiian-themed online store HiloHattie.com, in keeping with the Hawaiian theme Greathouse said was featured on the Thanksgiving Day show.

DiEleuterio, who left the set of Millionaire with a none-too-shabby $1,000 in winnings, dealt similarly with chance when the question “What animals does Stephen Colbert on 'The Colbert Report' call 'godless killing machines'?” left her making the unfortunate choice of sharks instead of bears.

The stumble, though sending DiEleuterio back from her $8,000 status, nonetheless did little to dampen her spirit. A part-time waitress at a popular sports bar near campus, the 22-year-old celebrated her appearance by treating her friends to a round of refreshments when she returned to campus.

Article by Becca Hutchinson
Photos by Kathy Atkinson

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