# Donald Ford Stanat

> Ph.D. University of Michigan 1966

**Wikidata**: [Q102114431](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102114431)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/donald-ford-stanat

## Summary
Donald Ford Stanat is an American computer scientist and university teacher who served as a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is best known for his academic contributions to the field of computer science and for his role in the doctoral mentorship of influential researchers, including Jon Bentley.

## Biography
- Education: Ph.D., University of Michigan (1966)
- Known for: Academic research in computer science and doctoral mentorship
- Employer(s): University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Field(s): Computer science

## Contributions
Donald Ford Stanat is a computer scientist and university teacher who has contributed to the field through academic research and doctoral mentorship. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1966. His academic work was conducted under the supervision of John Henry Holland, a scientist and professor who was active from 1929 to 2015. Stanat’s professional career is closely linked to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he served as a faculty member. 

One of his most significant contributions to the field of computer science is his role as the doctoral advisor for Jon Bentley. Bentley, an American computer scientist and mathematician born in 1953, has become a recognized figure in the discipline. Stanat’s work is recorded in several major academic databases, including the DBLP author bibliography (ID s/DonaldFStanat) and the Mathematics Genealogy Project (ID 5512). His identification as a computer scientist and university teacher reflects a career dedicated to both the study of computational systems and the education of future practitioners in the industrial and service sectors.

## FAQs
### Q: Where did Donald Ford Stanat receive his Ph.D.?
A: Donald Ford Stanat received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1966.

### Q: Who was Donald Ford Stanat's doctoral advisor?
A: His doctoral advisor was John Henry Holland, a prominent American scientist and professor known for his work at the University of Michigan.

### Q: Which notable computer scientist was a student of Donald Ford Stanat?
A: Jon Bentley, the American computer scientist and mathematician, was a doctoral student of Donald Ford Stanat.

## Why They Matter
Donald Ford Stanat is significant for his role in the academic development of computer science during its formative years in the 1960s. By obtaining his Ph.D. in 1966 from the University of Michigan, Stanat was part of an early cohort of specialized computer science researchers. His importance is highlighted by his connection to other major figures in the field. He was advised by John Henry Holland, a prominent American scientist and engineer. 

Furthermore, Stanat’s legacy is extended through his own students, specifically Jon Bentley, whose work as a computer scientist and mathematician is widely recognized. Stanat’s long-term affiliation with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill demonstrates his commitment to institutional growth and the training of new scientists. His inclusion in the Mathematics Genealogy Project and the DBLP database confirms his status as a verified contributor to the global knowledge base of computer science. Without the work of educators and advisors like Stanat, the structured progression of computer science research from the mid-20th century to the present would lack the necessary mentorship links that define the field's evolution.

## Notable For
- Earning a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1966.
- Serving as the doctoral advisor for Jon Bentley, a key figure in computer science.
- Long-term academic affiliation with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Being a student of the prominent scientist John Henry Holland.

## Body
### Academic Background
Donald Ford Stanat completed his graduate education at the University of Michigan. He was awarded his Ph.D. in 1966. His doctoral research was supervised by John Henry Holland (1929–2015), a renowned professor and scientist who held roles as an engineer, psychologist, and computer scientist.

### Professional Affiliations
Stanat is primarily associated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served as a university teacher and computer scientist within the institution's Department of Computer Science. His professional work is categorized within the industrial and service sectors of computer science.

### Research Genealogy and Impact
Stanat occupies a central role in the mathematics and computer science genealogy:
- **Doctoral Advisor:** John Henry Holland (University of Michigan).
- **Doctoral Student:** Jon Bentley (Ph.D. recipient and notable computer scientist/mathematician).
- **Database Identifiers:** He is indexed in the Mathematics Genealogy Project under ID 5512, the DBLP bibliography under the ID s/DonaldFStanat, and the Mathematical Reviews under author ID 283602.

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## References

1. Mathematics Genealogy Project
2. [Source](https://cs.unc.edu/person/donald-f-stanat/)