Worldwide | College of Arts & Sciences Annual Report (23-24)

DEAN’S STUDENT AND ALUMNI COUNCIL MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT

EDWARD J. ALLEN

B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies; Minor in Management

the music librarian at the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific on Yokota Air Base, Japan. Most recently, Allen stepped away from the band career field and served as the non-commissioned officer in charge of immigrations for the 379th Air Base Wing Host Nation Coordination Cell (Al Udeid, Qatar). With the Host Nation Coordination Cell, he led seven team members in Air Force Central Command’s largest customs and immigration operation. He oversaw the immigration of over 53,000 military and civilian personnel, including distinguished visitors such as the U.S. Secretary of State, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation. Prior to enlisting, Allen was a stage actor working in several theatres in and around his hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. He occasionally continued his theatre work while in the military with notable performances as Charlie Brown in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at Alaska Pacific University and as Conrad Birdie in “Bye-Bye Birdie” with the Vivace Theatre Group at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Technical Sergeant Edward (Justin) Allen enrolled at Embry-Riddle after retiring from 22

years in the United States Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band. He chose this program to build upon

his professional management certification and AAS degree and

to bolster his experience with a well-rounded education. The highlight of his experience at Embry-Riddle was the opportunity to study abroad in Europe in June 2023 where the group was immersed in culture, history and science across four nations. He has also been honored to serve on the College of Arts & Sciences’ Student and Alumni Council. Following his military service, he served one year as the Operations Manager of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra in Norfolk, Virginia. Allen was a non-commissioned officer of Heritage Brass in the USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis. He led the unit’s 14-member brass ensemble and served as vocalist for the Heritage of America Band’s Concert Band. He also served as the band’s Readiness Section Chief. Allen entered the Air Force in March 2000 through Air Force Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He was assigned to the United States Air Force Band of Flight (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio) in May 2000 and since then has held a variety of ancillary positions at his subsequent assignments. In addition, he has deployed to the Air Force Central Command Band at Al Udeid, Qatar on three occasions. Prior to his final assignment, he was the vocalist for the Pacific Trends popular music group and

20 | Worldwide College of Arts & Sciences

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