Tower-Summer 2019

Each day is different for De La Rosa, who never knows the numbers, names or faces who will appear in his classes. “Unpredictability is the norm, but that is precisely what makes the role interesting!” said De La Rosa. “This has led me to master the art of improvisation and thinking on my feet.” De La Rosa’s mastery, however, does not yet extend to his new language, at least not in his mind. “Allow me to introduce you to my kryptonite: Moroccan Arabic. Learning the language has for sure been the hardest challenge.” Peace Corps Reflections and the Lasting Difference “When I arrived, some members of my community were a little taken aback by the brown man with a Spanish- sounding last name who claimed to be the new American volunteer. To them, Americans were white, blonde, blue- eyed and we’re not named ‘Yorman De La Rosa.’ Today, a lot of them understand that America is a country of immigrants and that Americans can be Black, Latino, White, Asian, Arab, Christian, Jewish, and or Muslim.” said De La Rosa. “I believe that I have helped dismantle the belief that to be American is to be White.” From Allentown to Kutztown to D.C. to Morocco, De La Rosa is officially smitten with wanderlust, eager to have more of the world at his feet. And with plans to continue his interest in international studies at a graduate level, he no doubt will. “Prior to the Peace Corps, I had very little interest in traveling, but now that I’ve seen a little bit of the world, I want to see the rest.” The President and the Peace Corps Did you know, in addition to being a first-generation student and former officer in the military, KU’s very own president, Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, was a member of the Peace Corps? “I served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 1986-88, and these years were among the most meaningful and profound years of my life. The Peace Corps has three missions: to work to improve the lives of others in your host country, to work to improve your own life, and when one returns to the U.S., to take what you learned about self and others and use it to improve the lives of Americans. I did my best to help my students and others I worked with in Mali, West Africa, and the experience has had countless positive influences on my life and the way I see the world. I have spent the decades since sharing what I had learned to bring about greater understanding among people of different cultures.” Crocodile Dundee? No, it’s our KU president up close and personal with a croc while serving in the Peace Corps in West Africa. 6 TOWER | SUMMER 2019 continued from page 5…