 "Photo: AP Photo by Alex Brandon")
Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who resigned amid controversy two years ago, confirmed on Tuesday that he will serve as a speaker, professor and recruiter for the Texas Tech University System effective Aug. 1.
While under his one-year term, Gonzales, 53, will teach a junior-level seminar course, "Contemporary Issues in the Executive Branch" in the Department of Political Science and will guest lecture in classes across campus.
"I've been in the situation room," said Gonzales, who became the first Hispanic attorney general in the U.S. "I've been in the Oval Office to talk with the president of the United States. I think I provide a perspective that very few people teaching at Texas Tech University can provide."
In September 2007, Gonzales was at the forefront of controversy that involved the dismissal of seven federal prosecutors, his role in a wiretap program and the use of Guantanamo Bay before relinquishing his position.
Since then, he has been giving speeches, mediating cases, consulting and is in the process of writing a book, he said.
Outside the classroom, Gonzales will work with the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement to help Tech and Angelo State University recruit and retain minority students, particularly Hispanics.
"To have a former attorney general in the United States of America teaching at this school is a great asset," Tech Chancellor Kent Hance said. "I don't care how people think politically. If the attorney general (Eric Holder) under (President Barack) Obama resigns tomorrow, I'd hire him too."
During a phone interview Tuesday, Gonzales said he does not believe his past will bring negative attention to Tech and acknowledged that criticism he has received since 2007 is not surprising.
"Listen, I served during probably one of the most difficult periods of time during our nation's history," he said. "We had to make some very tough decisions, and some people disagree with those decisions. But that's what happens in a democratic society."
Hance said what took place in Gonzales' career never was an issue since the two started discussing the job in April, and he was fully aware of where the criticism was coming from and where it will continue to come from.
"I really didn't go back and look at every left-wing blog, because I know they're going to say bad things about him," Hance said, "and they'll say bad things about him in the future. They'll probably be critical of me for hiring him."
Hance said instead of focusing on Gonzales' difficult years toward the end of the Bush administration, he wants people to realize one thing: "It's a former cabinet member."
"I don't care what the president was - a Democrat or Republican - if I can hire a (U.S.) Cabinet member to teach our young people about their experiences," said Hance, who called Gonzales an "American dream."
"Here's a guy who was one of eight children to migrant workers. He got out of high school, didn't have money to go to college. He had to join the Air Force. He ascended to one of the top positions in the U.S. government."
Gonzales served as a special adviser and as general counsel for then Texas Gov. George W. Bush. He served as Texas secretary of state and in the Texas Supreme Court before Bush was elected president. Gonzales then served as White House counsel prior to becoming attorney general.
After graduating from high school, Gonzales joined the Air Force before transferring to Rice University where he majored in political science. He then graduated from Harvard Law School and went back to his hometown of Houston to join the law firm of Vinson and Elkins.
Gonzales, who will be paid about $100,000 for his one-year service at Tech, faces a tough task in recruiting minority students during a time when economic hardships are plentiful.
However, Gonzales seems confident he can accomplish this responsibility by relating to students, emphasizing the importance of college and helping parents realize "there is a way" to send their children to college.
"Sometimes it's as easy as seeing a mentor or a role model and being encouraged and inspired, motivated," he said. "To here someone's story, you realize, 'My goodness, this is someone on campus who has the same kind of background as me, and look what they were able to accomplish.'"
Gonzales specifically highlighted a problem in the Hispanic community that he would like to target. He said Hispanic families often "fail to realize that going to college is an investment."
"It's not a luxury, it's a necessity now," he said. "We need to not only talk to the kids, but really talk to the parents."
With his experiences and desire to teach, Gonzales believes he can affect change at Tech, and he said his qualifications speak for themselves when it comes to dealing with students.
"I've spoken to Hispanic kids all over the country about the importance of an education and pursuing dreams," he said. "My life is a testament to the American dream. It's possible, I know it's possible."
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