Geneva College alumnus David Shedd ‘81 will speak on “America’s National Security at China’s Expense” on campus Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in John White Chapel.

David is the co-author of The Great Heist: China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets. This book “exposes China's unprecedented state-orchestrated espionage campaign to strip the United States and its allies of their economic, technological, and military edge.”

The event will feature a fireside chat between David and President Calvin Troup, followed by a Q&A session. Books will be available for purchase with the opportunity to have them signed. The event is open to the public.

David brings a wealth of experience from the intelligence community with over 30 years of government service. He previously served as acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency after four years of service as deputy director. David has also served in multiple senior positions in the White House’s National Security Council, the CIA, the Office of the DNI, and embassy postings in Latin America.

Originally a civil engineering student at Geneva, David chose to pursue economics and political science during his sophomore year of college. His Geneva education has informed his work in the U.S. government, sharing in a 2014 interview, “It’s about really having compassion and true love for people — love that is defined by Jesus’ beatitudes.”

David currently serves as a member of the Geneva College Board of Trustees.