As a research fellow for the Hoover Institution, a public-policy think tank located on Stanford University’s campus, and as a senior fellow with the Ashbrook Center, based in Ohio, David Davenport wrote roughly 400 opinion columns over a span of 21 years.
His op-eds on such topics as constitutional federalism, civic education, modern American conservatism and international law were published in a variety of newspapers, including USA Today, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Washington Times, Denver Post, Christian Science Monitor and Washington Examiner, along with Scripps Howard News Service and Forbes.com.
In addition to print articles, Davenport also wrote and recited more than 250, one-minute radio commentaries for Townhall.com. The commentaries aired on Salem Media Group-owned stations nationwide between 2007 and 2020.
“The difference is vast between a 650-word newspaper column and a 150-word radio commentary, yet both are similar,” Davenport told Times of San Diego. “My goal with writing was to take the news headlines and interpret their impact on society in a way that could be understood by the common man in the general public. I found it both challenging and enjoyable.”
A resident of Coronado since 2018, Davenport is now a Hoover Institution research fellow emeritus.
Earlier in his career, Davenport served at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. as general counsel (1981-1983), executive vice president (1983-1985) and president (1985-2000). Under his presidency, the university experience significant growth in quality and reputation. University assets grew to nearly $500 million through two fundraising campaigns.
After his tenure as president, he continued at Pepperdine serving as a distinguished professor of public policy (2003-2008) and taught classes on political philosophy, deliberative democracy, international institutions and presidential campaigns.
“During those years at Pepperdine, I saw myself as a speaker rather than a writer,” he said. “I was giving 20 speeches a month and lecturing in a classroom. But, then, with Hoover, I converted myself to research and writing.”
Davenport’s new book, his sixth, was released in June. The book is titled, “A Republic If We Can Teach It: Fixing America’s Civic Education Crisis.”
“The book is a call to action, an effort to save our republic through better civic education,” Davenport said. “In what has become a vicious cycle, young people are not learning about their country, its history and how it works, and they grow up disengaged and distrustful. Too many young people do not understand the principles of self-government on which America was founded.
“Also they do not understand America’s history as the story of struggle and the principles of freedom articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Instead, too many believe that America’s story is one of oppression, not freedom, injustice and not hope. I believe America faces a civics crisis and action is needed to reverse the trend.”
Davenport’s other books include “Equality of Opportunity,” “The Civic Education Crisis,” “How Public Policy Became War,” “Rugged Individualism,” “The New Deal and Modern American Conservatism” and “Shepherd Leadership.”
While he considers himself retired, Davenport remains active as a volunteer with two causes.
He serves on the board of Cristo Rey San Diego High School, a Catholic college preparatory high school that educates young people of all faiths from low-income families to become men and women of faith, purpose and service for others.
Also, he serves on the advisory board of the Spirit of America, a nonprofit organization that works alongside American military personnel and diplomats to promote American values and provide humanitarian assistance.
“I consider myself retired, which means nobody’s paying me anymore,” Davenport said. “I’ve had a tremendous career. But, I still have plenty of energy and curiosity and care deeply about civics education and higher education. I plan to keep writing with the same goal of explaining societal trends in plain and simple language.”
KOCT-TV, Oceanside Public Access, Airs Candidate Forums
KOCT-TV, an Oceanside-based public-access TV station airing city, county and state government programming, will present live broadcasts of candidate forums on Tuesday, Aug. 27, and Wednesday, Aug. 28, airing from the Veterans Association of North County, 1617 Mission Avenue.
On Aug. 27, the candidate forum schedule includes: 12:30 p.m., Oceanside mayor; 1:45 p.m., Oceanside city council, District 4; 3 p.m., Oceanside city council, District 3.
On Aug. 28, the schedule includes: 9:30 a.m., 49th Congressional District; 11:15 a.m., Oceanside city treasurer.
Viewers can watch the KOCT forums on Cox Cable Channel 18 and live-stream at www.koct.org. Questions for candidates can be emailed to election@koct.org.
Founded in 1984 as a non-profit corporation, KOCT provides a voice in the North County for programming about non-profit and community groups. It also serves as workforce development with volunteers and interns who have gone on to work in commercial broadcast, film and online entities.
Shawn VanDiver Heads External Affairs at Athenian Group
Houston-based Athenian Group, a consulting firm specializing in program management and organizational change management, has appointed Shawn VanDiver as VP of external affairs in San Diego. He will oversee marketing, communications, community engagement and government affairs, a statement said.
VanDiver was previously the chief growth officer at 11:59, an AI consulting firm, and a senior manager at Deloitte. A U.S. Navy veteran who retired in 2013, VanDiver has advised government leaders from city council members to President Biden.
In addition to Athenian Group, VanDiver serves as president of #AfghanEvac, a non-profit organization which collaborates with the federal government in a public-private partnership to enable Afghan allies to achieve their American dream.
He also serves on the board of directors for the San Diego Convention Center and the Veterans Community Oversight and Engagement Board.
“We’re exceptionally pleased to have someone of Shawn’s caliber join us,” said Bobby Dixon, president and CEO of Athenian Group. “His diverse experience, proven results and ability to engage with government officials at all levels will be invaluable as we continue to grow and diversify Athenian’s capabilities.”
Bridgette Flint Named Marketing Manager at Mileage Quest
Mileage Quest, a Southern California-based tech company with a smartphone mileage tracking app, has named Bridgette Flint as marketing manager. She will be involved in account management, social media strategy, content planning and branding, a statement said.
Flint was previously a freelance social media and branding manager, as well as an account manager for Unruly Agency, a Los Angeles modeling agency.
She successfully managed and monetized accounts for social media clients and influencers across multiple platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Netflix and Instagram. Flint was credited with generating more than $1.8 million in revenue for her clients and increasing overall engagement by 17%.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Loyola Marymount University.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.
