William A. Stanton

William A. "Bill" Stanton

William A. "Bill" Stanton (traditional Chinese: 司徒文; born 1947) is a retired United States career diplomat. Since his retirement, he has been a professor at National Tsinghua University and at National Taiwan University in Taiwan.

Early life and education

Stanton earned a B.A. magna cum laude from Fordham University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in English literature from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hillwhich he attended on a National Defense Education Act Fellowship.  He also spent a year studying at Albert-Ludwigs University in Freiburg, Germany.

Career

Dr. Stanton served for 34 years as a U.S. diplomat.  His final posting was as Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (2009-2012).  During his tenure, AIT achieved significant progress on a number of key bilateral issues, including Taiwan's entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, two major security assistance agreements, increased high-level visits by U.S. Government officials, and resolution of trade disputes, including the re-introduction of U.S. beef into Taiwan.  For his contributions to U.S. exports to Taiwan, Dr. Stanton won the 2011 Charles E. Cobb Award for Initiative and Success in Trade Development.   For his overall contributions to U.S.-Taiwan relations, Taiwan awarded Dr. Stanton the Order of the Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon.

Dr. Stanton’s other senior assignments included Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Korea (2006-09) and at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia (2003-06).  During the latter assignment, he held the position of Chargé d'affaires ad interim for some 23 months.   His other Asia-related experience included:  two three-year assignments (1987-90 and 1995-98) at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the second as Minister Counselor for Political Affairs; Deputy Director for the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs; and Special Assistant for East Asia and Pacific Affairs for the Under Secretary for Political Affairs.

Dr. Stanton also served as:  Director of the Office of Egyptian and North African Affairs; Director of the Office of UN Political Affairs; Political-Military Affairs Officer in Embassy Islamabad; Country Officer for Lebanon; Staff Assistant for the Assistant Secretary for Near East and South Asian Affairs; Watch Officer/Editor in the Department of State’s Operations Center; and Consular and Political Officer at Embassy Beirut.

Dr. Stanton's State Department awards included the Secretary's Career Achievement Award, three Superior Honor Awards, one Superior Group Award, and several performance awards.  For his contributions to the U.S. Forces Korea Command from 2006 to 2009, the U.S. Department of the Army awarded Dr. Stanton the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal.

Following his retirement in August 2012, he was granted a Taiwan Resident Certificate for his efforts in promoting US-Taiwan ties.

After diplomacy

Stanton was formerly the George K.C. Yeh Distinguished Chair Professor at National Tsinghua University in Hsinchu where he was the founding Director of the University's Asia Policy Center. From August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2019, he served as Professor in the Center for General Education at National Taiwan University.

Family

Stanton was formerly married to another Foreign Service Officer and former Ambassador, Karen Stanton (Ambassador to East Timor). They have two daughters, Katherine and Elizabeth.