Posted on Friday, October 20, 2023
Robert Allen Jr. ’19, who has visited 14 countries through college, the Peace Corps and the Department of State, will set out on his biggest adventure yet as a foreign service officer at the United States Consulate General in Shenyang, China.
“During this time of great power competition between the United States and China, it means everything to be here, especially in such a critical region as Shenyang — which borders North Korea and Russia respectively,” he said. “I look forward to serving the American people dutifully, while also learning as much as possible about Chinese culture.”
Allen will represent America as a diplomat in the consular affairs section after he completes his mandarin language training at the Foreign Service Institute.
“My focus will be on protecting the lives and serving the interests of American citizens abroad,” he said. “I will also help protect our country by helping foreign nationals connect with the United States — issuing visas to qualified visitors, workers and immigrants.”
From sports to politics
His path to becoming a Diplomat started as a political science major at LaGrange College. However, Allen clarified that this path was not set in stone. He actually began as an exercise science major, with the goal of one day playing in the NFL.
“When I arrived at LC as a freshman, I was primarily focused on sports,” he said. “It dominated my entire life. Anything with a ball, you name it, I played it.”
Allen said his Political Science Professor encouraged him to pursue a profession in public service.
“Dr. John Tures encouraged me to broaden my horizons,” he said. “He brought me to conferences where I connected with people who became invaluable resources.”
Expanding one’s worldview
Two weeks after Allen graduated from LC, he boarded a plane to the Republic of Moldova, where he served as an English education volunteer for the Peace Corps.
“I lived there for a year, but it certainly was not the easiest experience,” he said. “It was a very difficult process because I experienced culture shock initially. However, I learned how to build resiliency and fell in love with building relationships with different cultures.”
While serving in the Peace Corps, Allen had opportunities to travel to nearby countries and learn about their customs.
“I had the opportunity to travel to Romania, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Cyprus,” he said. “It was important for me to get outside of my comfort zone and challenge myself.”
Unfortunately, when the COVID 19 pandemic struck, Allen was forced to evacuate Peace Corps Moldova and figure out what was next for him upon his return to America.
“This was a disappointing point in my life because I had found something I loved and that I was passionate about,” he said. “Upon my arrival, I was having a hard time readjusting to life here in America because I had been so accustomed to living abroad.”
Starting a new chapter
To make a living during a time when jobs were scarce, Allen started his first business as a licensed life insurance broker. During this period, he said he continued to stay in touch with people he met overseas.
“While I was abroad, I was networking,” Allen said. “I met the U.S. Ambassador to Moldova, and he told me about educational opportunities through the Department of State. That is how I learned about the Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship.”
He was one of 45 fellows selected, of which less than four percent applicants are recipients. The prestigious fellowship of the fellowship includes funding for tuition, mandatory fees, and stipends up to $42,000 per year (for two years). The program prepares outstanding individuals for a career in the Department of State’s Foreign Service.
“This program paid for my master’s degree in Global Policy studies at the University of Texas,” Allen said. “They also gave me mentors in the Department of State and two internships in Washington, D.C., and in Saudi Arabia.”
He was able to meet former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice while attending the LBJ School of Law and met current Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his internship in Saudi Arabia.
Staying connected to LC roots
Allen extended his sincere gratitude to his alma mater, LaGrange College.
“I carry LC’s pillars wherever I travel — civility, diversity, excellence and service,” he said. “I do my best to embody these qualities, while maintaining a curiosity for all walks of life.”
As he begins this new venture as a U.S. Diplomat in China, he said he is reminded of this Martin Luther King Jr. quote: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
“I will heed and cling onto this quote as I’m challenged by Shenyang, China’s climate, uncertainties and the many obstacles that arise in the Foreign Service,” Robert said.
He expressed what he desires for the future.
“My hope, not merely for my future but that of this entire planet, is that we can live in a world that shares in freedom, economic prosperity and peace,” Robert said. “The more people I encounter from every corner of the Earth, the more I start to realize, we have so much more in common than we do our differences. No matter where you come from or start in life, you too can make a difference!”
So You Think You Want To Work In Professional Sports?
Tuesday, Oct. 24
11 a.m., Bailey Room
Basics of Brightspace
Wednesday, Oct. 25
3 p.m., Bailey Room
Haunted History: The Intersections of History, Writing, and Entrepreneurship
Thursday, Oct. 26
11:15 a.m., Jolly Room, Callaway Science Building
Coming to Price Theater this season
Football
LaGrange lost 42-20 in a hard-fought match against Belhaven last week. The team travels to Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 21 (tomorrow), to take on Maryville. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
The Panthers won against Huntingdon 1-0 on Oct. 18. The next time the team competes is Saturday, Oct. 21 (tomorrow) at Berea at 1 p.m. The final regular season game for LaGrange will be on Monday, Oct. 23, against Faulkner University at 5 p.m. The team’s senior players will be recognized at the match.
Men’s Soccer
LaGrange lost 2-1 against Mississippi University for Women on Sunday, Oct. 15. The team will celebrate senior day during their final regular season game against Warren Wilson on Saturday, Oct. 21 (tomorrow), at 3 p.m. Come out and cheer on our LC student-athletes.
Volleyball
The Panthers competed in a tri-match at Berea on Saturday, Oct. 14. The team won their first match 3-1 against Wesleyan and lost their second match 3-0 to Berea. On Saturday, the team will travel to Covenant for a tri-match. They will compete against Covenant at noon and Piedmont at 2 p.m.
Golf
LaGrange competed in the Barton Intercollegiate this week. The Panthers finished 12th out of 17 teams. Sophomore Jeremy Edmunds led the Panthers with a plus eight, which placed him at 26 out of 97 players.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Saturday, Oct. 21 – Volleyball at Covenant, noon, Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Saturday, Oct. 21 – Women’s Soccer at Berea, 1 p.m., Berea, Kentucky
Saturday, Oct. 21 – Football at Maryville, 1 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee
Saturday, Oct. 21 – Volleyball vs. Piedmont @ Covenant, 2 p.m., Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Saturday, Oct. 21 – Men’s Soccer (Home) vs. Warren Wilson, 3 p.m., Panther Field
Monday, Oct. 23 – Golf (First Round) at Chick-Fil-A Collegiate Invitational, Rome, Georgia
Monday, Oct. 23 – Women’s Soccer (Home) vs. Faulkner University, 1 p.m., Panther Field
Tuesday, Oct. 24 – Golf (Final Round) at Chick-Fil-A Collegiate Invitational, Rome, Georgia
Wednesday, Oct. 25 – Volleyball (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 7 p.m., Richter Gymnasium
Thursday, Oct. 26 – Volleyball (Home) vs. Fort Valley State, 7 p.m., Richter Gymnasium
Category: Academics, Service, College
Keywords: Government, Diplomacy
