Surprise and excitement.

These words describe the experience of a former UW-Whitewater student now studying at George Washington University in Washington D.C. after the death of Osama bin Laden.

Sophomore Jared Christman began an internship at CBS News at the end of January 2011 and was in Washington D.C. when media organizations broke news about the death of bin Laden.

Christman said he was in his room when he learned President Barack Obama was making a special announcement.

“It was a little peculiar considering the time,” Christman said.  “A bunch of people started posting rumors about it and I saw another news network confirming it.”

Christman said the news of bin Laden’s death was surprising at first but the feeling soon changed to that of excitement.

“I didn’t expect that to be what was going to be announced at first,” Christman said.  “I guess I just got excited.”

The atmosphere in Washington D.C. quickly changed to that of excitement and celebration after Obama’s televised announcement, Christman said.

“You could just start hearing people, even from the window of my apartment, you could hear people on the streets cheering,” Christman said.

Christman, who lives about three blocks from the White House, said he followed crowds running from campus just to see what was going on.

“I went over there and celebrated with all the people,” Christman said.  “I was snapping photos, just watching the whole thing amazed by what was going on.  It was really surreal.”

Susan Johnson, chair of the Political Science Department at UW-Whitewater, said bin Laden has been enemy No. 1 for almost ten years and his death is something significant to Americans.

“People identify him as the reason behind … the greatest terrorist attack to ever happen on our soil, and capturing him is going to give us a sense of closure and assure us that some of the things we’re doing actually are working,” Johnson said.

Johnson said though the U.S. is prepared to deal with retaliation, there is definitely a concern that something might happen.

“The Obama administration and others have indicated there is a concern and they’re doing things to try and prevent that,” Johnson said.

Johnson said though the operation was a success and significant step for Americans, it is only a small step in what the United States is doing.

“I don’t think … it’s going to make that much of a difference in terms of our troops in Afghanistan, other things that we’re engaged in,” Johnson said.

Christman said bin Laden’s death is a testament to the strength of our country even though it doesn’t make up for the damage done.

“It shows America keeps its promises and it definitely has strengthened our country,” he said.  “It really hasn’t made that piece that’s missing in us whole, but it certainly has helped.”