Former U.S. Ambassador Stuart Symington IV to Speak at Park University

October 11, 2023 — W. Stuart Symington IV, former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria (2016-19), Rwanda (2008-11) and Djibouti (2006-08), will participate in a conversation at Park University’s flagship Parkville (Mo.) Campus on Tuesday, Oct. 31, starting at 10 a.m. in McCoy Meetin’ House. Admission to the event is free and open to the public.

Along with his roles as a U.S. ambassador, Symington, was the deputy assistant secretary of state for Central Africa and African Security Affairs (2015-16), U.S. Special Representative for the Central African Republic (2014-16) and political advisor to the commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command / U.S. Northern Command (2011-14). He also served as deputy chief of mission and charge d’affaires in Niger (2001-03). Symington also had roles as the U.S Department of State’s representative at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va. (2005-06), political officer at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq (2004-05) and deputy director of the Department’s Office of West African Affairs (2003-05).

Symington began his diplomatic career with tours in Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico and Spain, and as a Pearson Fellow in the office of Missouri U.S. Congressman Ike Skelton. Before joining the Department of State, Symington practiced law in Missouri, New York, London and Paris.

A senior fellow at the National Defense University’s Joint Forces Staff College and an honorary professor at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., Symington earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University (Providence, R.I.) and a juris doctor degree from Columbia Law School (New York City). Symington is the grandson of Missouri U.S. Sen. Stuart Symington III who served in office from 1953-76 and received an honorary doctorate from Park in 1957.

Symington’s appearance is made possible through a collaboration with the Command and General Staff College Foundation at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Park University President Shane Smeed, Park Board of Trustees member Benny Lee and Jeanette Prenger, ’09 (and former trustee) are on the Foundation’s board.