(born January 26, 1958) is Chancellor Emeritus of East Carolina University.
He served as the 11th Chancellor at East Carolina (ECU) from 2016 to 2019.
Previously, Dr.
Staton served as Interim President of Valdosta State University (2015–2016) and as Vice Chancellor for Extended Education with the University System of Georgia (2014–2016).
He served five terms as an elected official in the U.S.
state of Georgia.
He was a member of the Republican Party and served in the Georgia Senate representing the 18th district, which includes portions of Bibb, Houston, Monroe, Jones, and Crawford counties.
In the newly drawn maps approved by the United States Justice Department on December 23, 2011, the 18th District added Peach and Upson counties, but no longer included Jones County.
The new map was in use for the 2012 and 2014 elections.