As a professor, Diamond was a big influence. These are a few quotes and memories by his students collected by Heather Murchel.
“I remember meeting Dave Diamond for the first time in 2002 when I first toured
Black Hills State University,” said former student Aaron Nelson. “Growing up in a
small, eastern South Dakota town my general upbringing had been to think within
the box. I remember meeting with Diamond for 20 minutes and thinking how
radical his thinking was and how cool it would be to have him as an instructor.
It was one year later I found myself at Black Hills State University studying mass
communications. He was an inspiration and a free thinker. He has certainly left an
impression on the world!”
– Aaron Nelson
“It’s because of Diamond’s constant push to go BIG and his unconventional teaching
methods that I interned with a record label in Los Angeles,” said former student
Ross Lillebo. “After graduating (in 2000) was able to circumvent smaller radio
markets and jump straight to a top 25 market in Denver. He taught me to never
accept the status quo and forge my own path.”
– Ross Lillebo
“This incredible man has helped me become the successful professional woman I am
today. I attended BHSU in the late 90’s. The crew of broadcasters that were in school
at the same time along with ‘The Diamond’ are the best people I have ever met,” said
former student Darby Warne Boyd. “The most important thing Diamond ever taught
me was to be myself! The thousands of other life lessons he taught were a big part of
my life. I love and live by many of ‘Diamond’s Rules to Live By.’ I also consider this
incredible man to be one of my most precious friends. His insight and wisdom speak
well beyond his years! Diamond I love you!”
– Darby Warne Boyd
Julia Easton graduated from BHSU with a mass communications degree and is
a graduate student at South Dakota State University. She worked closely with
Diamond and mentored several students over the four years.
“Today, we say goodbye to an amazing professor and dear friend. A man who was
fully committed and connected to his students which proved evident by the fact
that he continued to teach long after his own successful radio and communications
career,” said Easton, who is poised to graduate with her masters in 2015. “… David
Diamond was instrumental in my decision to join the mass communication field. He
sparked a passion within me to pursue my love for communications, which I have
been involved with since graduation. Thank you professor, Diamond, for your love,
your passion and for your friendship. You will be forever missed.”
– Julia Easton
Richard Sands is the publisher of alternative radio newsweekly “The Sands Report”
and former program director of LIVE 105 in San Francisco, Calif.
“I listened to Dave Diamond when I was a kid on KBLA in Los Angeles. He had
a show that was the rhythm of the city at the time, playing songs from ‘The
Doors,’ ‘Love,’ ‘The Seeds,’ ‘Strawberry Alarm Clock,’ and many other local and
national cutting edge artists,” said Sands. “The show was totally unique in so many
ways, and inspirational, as he would blend poetry and fun into his three levels
of ‘The Diamond Mine.’ Thanks to Dave, I followed my dream into radio, where I
have spent my entire professional career.” He added that he may have done one of the last interviews with Diamond where he
provided lots of wisdom to my readers in “The Sands Report” last March.
Dave Diamond: The Diamond Mine 
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