Where Did DeSantis Go To College?

Ron DeSantis is the current governor of Florida and a potential candidate for the 2024 presidential election. He is a member of the Republican Party and a supporter of former President Donald Trump. He has been in the spotlight for his controversial policies and actions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, education, immigration, and the environment.

But before he became a politician, he was a student who pursued his higher education at two of the most prestigious institutions in the country: Yale University and Harvard Law School. Where did Ron DeSantis go to college and how did his education shape his career and worldview? Let’s find out.

Name	College Attended	Degree(s) Earned	Field of Study/Major	Graduation Year
Ron DeSantis	Yale University	Bachelor of Arts	History	2001
Ron DeSantis	Harvard Law School	Juris Doctor	Law	2005

Many people wonder where famous or successful people went to college and what they studied. Sometimes, we can learn a lot from their educational journeys and how they influenced their later achievements. In this article, we will explore where Ron DeSantis went to college and what he learned there. We will also look at his early life, his post-college journey, his impact and significance, and some interesting anecdotes from his college years. Finally, we will discuss what today’s students can learn from his college experience and how they can pursue their own goals.

Educational Journey

Ron DeSantis attended Yale University, one of the most prestigious and selective colleges in the country. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 2001. He was part of the varsity baseball team and the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity ¹. He also received several honors and awards for his academic performance, such as the Dean’s Prize for Outstanding Thesis in American History ².

After graduating from Yale, DeSantis enrolled in Harvard Law School, another elite institution that produces many influential lawyers, judges, and politicians. He graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree in 2005 ². He was a member of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy and the Federalist Society². He also participated in moot court competitions and won the Edward C. Stone Moot Court Prize ².

DeSantis studied history and law at two of the best colleges in the country. He learned about the past events, ideas, and people that shaped America and the world. He also learned about the legal system, the constitution, and the principles of justice. He developed his skills in research, writing, analysis, argumentation, and leadership. He also made connections with some of the brightest minds and influential figures in his fields.

Early Life and Background

Ron DeSantis was born on September 14, 1978, in Jacksonville, Florida ². He spent most of his childhood in Dunedin, Florida ². His parents were blue-collar workers who instilled in him a strong work ethic and a sense of patriotism ¹. His father was a firefighter and his mother was a nurse¹.

DeSantis showed an early interest in baseball and politics. He played Little League baseball and dreamed of becoming a professional player ¹. He also read books about American history and politics, such as biographies of Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan ¹. He attended Dunedin High School, where he excelled academically and athletically. He was the captain of the baseball team and graduated as valedictorian of his class ¹.

DeSantis came from a humble background that taught him to value hard work and service. He also had a passion for baseball and politics that motivated him to pursue his goals. He was a smart and talented student who earned scholarships to attend Yale and Harvard.

Post-College Journey

After graduating from Harvard Law School, DeSantis joined the United States Navy as a judge advocate general (JAG) officer ². He served as a legal advisor to SEAL Team One in Iraq in 2007 ². He also served at Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay in Cuba in 2006 ². He received several commendations and medals for his military service, such as the Bronze Star Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ².

DeSantis left active duty in 2010 but remained in the Navy Reserve until 2019 ³. He also worked as a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida from 2008 to 2010 ². In 2012, he ran for Congress as a Republican candidate for Florida’s 6th congressional district. He won the election with the support of the Tea Party movement and became a founding member of the Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative lawmakers ². He was reelected in 2014 and 2016. He briefly ran for the U.S. Senate in 2016 but withdrew when incumbent senator Marco Rubio decided to run for reelection ².

In 2018, DeSantis ran for governor of Florida with the endorsement of President Donald Trump. He won the Republican nomination and faced Democrat Andrew Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, in the general election. He narrowly defeated Gillum by 0.4% of the vote and became the 46th governor of Florida ². He was sworn in on January 8, 2019 ².

As governor, DeSantis has been involved in many controversial issues and policies, such as:

DeSantis has also been speculated to run for president in 2024, either with or against Trump. He has been ranked as one of the most popular and influential Republicans in the country ⁵.

DeSantis’s college education influenced his career and worldview in many ways. He used his knowledge of history and law to shape his political agenda and vision. He also used his skills and connections to advance his career and gain support. He became a leader who is admired by some and criticized by others.

Impact and Significance

Ron DeSantis is one of the most prominent and polarizing figures in American politics today. He is seen as a potential successor to Trump and a leader of the conservative movement. He is also seen as a threat to the Democratic Party and a danger to public health and civil rights. His impact and significance are evident in his popularity ratings, media coverage, and public opinion.

DeSantis’s educational background is perceived differently by different people. Some see it as a mark of excellence and achievement. They respect his academic credentials and admire his intelligence. They believe he is well-educated and well-informed about the issues he faces. Others see it as a contradiction or a hypocrisy. They question his judgment and logic. They wonder how he can ignore or deny the facts and evidence that he learned in college. They believe he is misusing or abusing his education for his own agenda.

DeSantis himself has expressed mixed feelings about his college education. On one hand, he has praised Yale and Harvard for their quality and reputation. He has also credited them for helping him develop his skills and network. On the other hand, he has criticized them for their liberal bias and indoctrination. He has also suggested that law school is a waste of time and money that could be better spent on practical experience ⁴.

Interesting Anecdotes

Here are some interesting anecdotes from Ron DeSantis’s college years:

DeSantis was a pitcher for the Yale baseball team. He once faced off against future President George W. Bush, who was throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a game between Yale and Texas A&M in 1997 ¹. DeSantis struck out the first batter he faced but gave up a home run to the second one ¹.
DeSantis wrote his senior thesis at Yale on Alexander Hamilton’s views on executive power ¹. He argued that Hamilton favored a strong executive branch that could act decisively in times of crisis ¹. He later used his thesis as a reference for his book Dreams from Our Founding Fathers: First Principles in the Age of Obama , which he published in 2011 ¹.
DeSantis met his wife Casey Black at Harvard Law School. She was also a JAG officer who served in Iraq¹. They married in 2009 and have three children: Madison, Mason, and Mamie¹. Casey is also an Emmy Award-winning television host who worked for Golf Channel before becoming Florida’s first lady ¹.

Relevance to Today’s Students

Ron DeSantis’s college journey can teach today’s students some valuable lessons:

Pursue your passions: DeSantis followed his interests in baseball and politics throughout his college years. He did not let anyone discourage him from pursuing his dreams. He also balanced his academic work with his extracurricular activities.
Seek excellence: DeSantis aimed for excellence in everything he did. He worked hard to get into Yale and Harvard, two of the most competitive colleges in the country. He also excelled in his studies, sports, and military service. He earned many honors and awards for his achievements.