At New College, Diaz-Balart
majored in political science and history. He also worked part-time
at the old Sarasota radio station, WQSA. He created most of his own
curriculum, including a course with his sponsor, now-retired Professor
Peggy Bates, called “Spain: From Dictatorship to Democracy.” During
this independent study session, he researched the final years of the
Franco dictatorship, which provided him with a valuable international
perspective.
“I get to reach millions
of Spanish-language viewers in the morning that are seeing the news
about their country of origin and the world,” he said. “I like the
opportunity to be a part of the process that helps people understand
their community.” From the moment he wakes up at 4:30 a.m., he starts
studying to keep up with current events, reading newspapers from the
New York Times, Latin Times, and Financial Times of London
to El Mundo and La Reforma.
Diaz-Balart was the first person
in the country to do both English and Spanish news full-time on TV.
He is also one of few broadcasters who can perform simultaneous translations
between languages during live interviews.
“I’m very, very happy
and I’m also very, very busy,” he said. “But what is fundamental
for me being who I am today and being so motivated, is that spirit of
independence and respect for intellectual challenge that I learned at
New College. It’s a kind of education you just can’t find anywhere
else.”
