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develop the habits of thinking in absolutes and complete frameworks. Prior to the colloquium, my jail was most likely
characterized by an American-centered view of the world, and more generally, a nation-state view of the world. While I had
been educated in an intellectually liberal enough environment to realize this jail, EPIIC compelled me to really understand
it and challenge it with alternatives. Habit is truly a powerful force in the world (e.g. the states-are-forever habit), but it
obviates the fact that globalization is accelerating at an extraordinary rate and creating multi-dimensional phenomena.
“Rosenau’s second current elaborates on this truth, and it is that power, traditionally understood as material possessions
and military capabilities used to control the behavior of other actors, does not provide insight into relations and interactions
between actors. Taking new account of the nationalism that results from a local culture’s deep seated-ness informed my
understanding of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Rosenau’s insight also leads to cosmopolitanism, or broadening
horizons, which is what led me to study abroad in China and learn its language, Mandarin, spoken by one-sixth of the
people in the world. It is also leading me to discover the ways in which military and intelligence services are adapting to the
messiness of the world by joining the United States Navy after graduation.”
EPIIC Teaching Assistant Matan Chorev commented on David’s impact on the class, “David was an outstanding student at
EPIIC. This is no surprise to anyone who had any sense of his intellect, his commitment to learning things in depth and in
comprehensive fashion, and his refusal to accept unexamined truths. What most impressed me about David is that he seemed
to take his classmates with him on any exploratory journey related to the course. He was a good teammate and embraced the
kind of learning the EPIIC program tried to promote in its students. I did not know David as well as his classmates and friends
but I certainly observed with great clarity the degree to which they all respected, admired, and appreciated him. He was not an
outspoken presence but always a steady hand, a reasoned voice, a passionate learner.”
Freshman Raoul Alwani wrote, “I met David Rawson after we took EPIIC together this year. We were in the same study group
(Team EPIIC!!) which led to us becoming good friends outside of class. Besides his fiery red hair, what always struck me about
David was his warm smile, easy laugh, and genuine concern about how you were doing even when you’d just bump into him on
the way to class or around campus. He loved learning about new people and cultures, had a strong passion for music and had
a great desire to make a positive change in the world. He had a strong mind and an even stronger heart in wanting to make a
difference. He was always one for a joke, and you couldn’t help but reinforce his good feelings and powerful vibes whenever he
was around. At EPIIC parties he would tear up the dance floor. In class he would give you a big smile. Outside of class he would
give you a big hug. David truly did love people. It was part of his infectious charm, and we loved him in return.”
Sophomore James Nadel said, “David Rawson was many things. To me, he was a classmate
who displayed commitment, unexpected diversity, modesty, and courage. Commitment for
his model pursuit of the knowledge introduced to us in our shared academic environment.
Diversity for the many times he surprised me with his musical, vocal, or dancing ability.
Modesty for the lack of attention he sought for it. And courage for the decision at the end
of his undergraduate career to commit the next chapter of his life to public service, rather
than to immediately seek the business career he had long planned for. It is heartbreaking
and unforgettable when someone is lost before they have experienced all those chapters.
But any man could spend his lifetime gaining the love of as many as David did by only
twenty-two, and still count his years well-lived.”
Institute for Global Leadership, Tufts University 17