The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame
John W. Rosa
- Induction:
- 2026
- Class:
- 1973
Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa graduated from The Citadel in 1973 with a degree in Business Administration and was commissioned into the United States Air Force. Following a military career that spanned more than three decades, Rosa returned to his alma mater in 2006 to serve as The Citadel's 19th president.
A command-rated fighter pilot, Rosa accumulated more than 3,600 flight hours in aircraft that included the A-7, A-10, Hunter, Jaguar, F-16, F-117A, HH-60G and HC-130. His assignments included command positions at the squadron, group and wing levels in South Korea, Idaho, South Carolina, New Mexico and Georgia. He also served as inspector general for Pacific Air Forces, commandant of the Air Command and Staff College and deputy director for operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
As deputy director for operations, Rosa led the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks and served as spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff during military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2003, he was appointed superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a position he held until his retirement from active duty in 2005 as a three-star general.
During his tenure as president of The Citadel, the college maintained its position among the nation's leading public colleges, completed a $175 million capital campaign and advanced the objectives of its LEAD 2018 strategic plan.
Rosa earned a master's degree in public administration from Golden Gate University and completed advanced military education at the Air Force Command and Staff College, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and U.S. Army War College. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal.
A command-rated fighter pilot, Rosa accumulated more than 3,600 flight hours in aircraft that included the A-7, A-10, Hunter, Jaguar, F-16, F-117A, HH-60G and HC-130. His assignments included command positions at the squadron, group and wing levels in South Korea, Idaho, South Carolina, New Mexico and Georgia. He also served as inspector general for Pacific Air Forces, commandant of the Air Command and Staff College and deputy director for operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
As deputy director for operations, Rosa led the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks and served as spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff during military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2003, he was appointed superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a position he held until his retirement from active duty in 2005 as a three-star general.
During his tenure as president of The Citadel, the college maintained its position among the nation's leading public colleges, completed a $175 million capital campaign and advanced the objectives of its LEAD 2018 strategic plan.
Rosa earned a master's degree in public administration from Golden Gate University and completed advanced military education at the Air Force Command and Staff College, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and U.S. Army War College. His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal.
Tuesday, October 06
Tuesday, October 06
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Wednesday, September 30
