Flying Formation A Look at the Career, Family, and Home of The Citadel’s Lt. General and Mrs. Rosa By Christy Conway Photography by Patrick Brickman & Matt Bolt
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hen all the formal abbreviations and acronyms are put aside, Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa Jr., USAF (ret.) is simply John, a man who fell in love with a woman named Donna. This event formed the foundation upon which he eventually became the president of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. His career is notable; John retired in 2006 as a three-star general, having flown over 3,600 hours in eight different aircraft. Their lifestyle is fortunate; after 25 military moves, the couple now retains residence in The Citadel’s Quarters One—the President’s on-campus house. They also escape to their beach abode on the Wadmalaw River and vacation in their quaint cabin in the Smoky Mountains. But, what is most intriguing is, after almost 40 years married, never does John use the word “I” but always “we.” His successes are not only his own. Sitting at ease in two wicker armchairs, lifetime copilots John and Donna waxed nostalgic for me about their meeting in Charleston, their true love of military life, and their eventual return to the Lowcountry as President and First Lady, though their roles at The Citadel seem more like Dad and Mom.
CH+D • Fall 2012
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