W. Stuart Symington IV, former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria (2016-19), Rwanda (2008-11), and Djibouti (2006-08), spoke recently to students in McCoy Meetin’ House at Park University about the rewards of public service as a diplomat and the importance of building true partnerships with the people of other nations.
Symington’s appearance was made possible through a collaboration with the Command and General Staff College Foundation at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
His memorable experiences during his ambassadorship in Nigeria, Rwanda and Djibouti were many.
“I worked with extraordinary Americans - in the public and private sectors - and with people from other countries to save lives, create opportunities, and meet challenges, all thanks to the support of the American people and those we partner with abroad,” Symington said.
He is thankful for the important things he learned about life in those countries, which he wanted to share with his fellow Americans.
“I saw dynamic, resilient, and accomplished people in every place, often working with courage and amazing strength to overcome challenges,” Symington said. “I also learned how very, very fortunate we are to be Americans and to live in our country.”
The first decade of his diplomatic career was spent in Latin America and Spain, and then he served as a Pearson Fellow in the office of Missouri U.S. Congressman Ike Skelton.
He then went on short working visits to Sudan and North Korea. He also spent a few months in Iraq from 2004-2005 working on the election process.
“In every place I found the common challenge was to get to know our interlocutors’ perspectives well enough to communicate and, perhaps, influence their actions,” Symington said. “Bill Richardson (former New Mexico governor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations) died recently after an exceptional career including many trips to negotiate freedom for Americans taken hostage abroad.”
Born in Massachusetts, where his mother received a PhD and his father got a law degree. Symington followed in their footsteps and practiced law in Missouri, New York, London and Paris. He then wanted to serve in the Department of State in order to represent his country.
“Working for Chairman Skelton was a true highlight of my career,” Symington said. “He demonstrated a depth of respect, admiration, and commitment to our nation and especially for our military that both informed and inspired the rest of my career. It is why I am here today.”
He is also the grandson of U.S. Sen. Stuart Symington III, who was an American businessman and Democratic politician from Missouri. He served as the first Secretary of the Air Force from 1947 to 1950 and was a United States Senator from Missouri from 1953 to 1976. He also received an honorary doctorate from Park University in 1957.
Symington said he admired many things about his grandfather, especially his integrity, executive skill, commitment to equality and merit, and his devotion to our country our state and public service.
The most challenging parts of serving in his many roles in Africa have included building partnerships that reach beyond government to the private sector to spur growth and opportunity.
The most rewarding experiences for Symington were living and working with his colleagues and the people of each place, and learning from them.
When asked what he would most like the students at Park University to take away from his recent conversation with them at the school as far as following a path similar to his, he said, “The future of our nation and the ideals at its core will only be secure if you and others find ways to build true trusted partnerships that benefit us and others and that together strengthen those who believe in freedom and justice for all.”