12/02/2024
Why Civic Education Matters With David Davenport
On Thursday, December 5 at 11 a.m., join the Library for an insightful discussion with author David Davenport on his book, A Republic If We Can Teach It: Fixing America’s Civic Education Crisis. He’ll delve into the challenges and opportunities of preserving America’s democratic legacy through education. As demonstrated by the book’s title, a quote from Benjamin Franklin’s famed response to a question about the type of government the Constitutional Convention had created—“A republic, if you can keep it”—this program will discuss the urgent need for better civic education to preserve the republic.
Davenport is a research fellow emeritus at the Hoover Institution specializing in constitutional federalism, civic education, modern American conservatism, and international law. During his career at Hoover, he also served in administrative capacities as counselor to the director and the inaugural director of Hoover’s Washington, DC, program. Davenport is the former president of Pepperdine University (1985–2000). Under his leadership, the university experienced significant growth in quality and reputation. He is the co-founder of Common Sense California and the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership. He also served on the board of California Forward, a major bipartisan reform group, and was a member of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s California Performance Review Commission. He is a former senior fellow of the Ashbrook Center, where he worked on civic education projects.
Whether you’re a lifelong learner, a parent, a grandparent, or simply someone with a deep appreciation for American history, this event offers a chance to reflect on our country’s civic legacy and its impact on future generations.
Learn more at cplevents.org.