Sharing Stories, Cementing a Legacy

Texas A&M Foundation

By Ryan Williamson '24
Photography by Everett Francis '19
May 8, 2024

Walking through the exhibits of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Chris Allen ’13 fervently shares his favorite stories of the late president.

By the presidential limousine, he recalls preparing the communication devices in the vehicle before the president rode in it. At the Bush-Quayle ’88 campaign memorabilia exhibit, Allen recounts casting his first-ever vote for the president. And as he walks through the replica of the White House Situation Room, he shares stories of his first days serving the Bush administration shortly after Operation Desert Storm.

Now a docent at the presidential library, Allen feels the same sense of honor he felt working at the White House Communications Agency more than 30 years ago. For him, the years since serving Bush 41 have been a journey of learning from the president’s legacy that eventually led him to Aggieland.


Views From the White House

When Allen began his career in the United States Air Force in the mid ’80s, he didn’t expect to end up at the White House. An aerial photographer for the Air Force Thunderbirds jet team, he spent three years traveling across the country and world, taking photos of the squadron as it performed daring air shows and flyovers that inspired many.

After completing his assignment with the team, it was time for Allen to assume a new role. “My position had been challenging and required constant travel,” he shared. “In recognition of this, I was asked what I wanted to do next when it was time for my new assignment.”

Allen’s answer was simple: serving his commander-in-chief at the White House. He applied and received a special duty assignment with the White House Communications Agency, which provided communication, advance and photo support to the president.

To Allen, his work at the agency was much more than a military assignment. It was an opportunity to serve and learn from one of the nation’s greatest public servants. “There’s no higher honor than to have served the president at the White House,” he expressed. “Specifically, serving President Bush was the high point of my military career. It propelled me into my civilian career and laid the foundation for my life.”

After finishing his assignment at the White House, Allen left the Air Force and earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California. He entered the civilian workforce as a fundraiser for his alma mater and, later, the University of Wyoming. He continued to work in multiple nonprofit advancement roles before becoming the executive director of a large senior living complex in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Allen recalls that, throughout his career, he strove to remember the lessons from his time at the White House and follow President Bush’s legacy of selfless service. “Between my Air Force service and 30-plus-year career in the nonprofit world for organizations large and small, I tried to focus my work on helping others,” he emphasized. “I enjoy that about public service. It isn’t about me.”

Throughout his career, Allen kept a close eye on Aggieland, where he watched the Bush School of Government and Public Service grow and evolve since its inception in 1997. Impressed by the school’s offering of students, speakers, faculty and practitioners, Allen enrolled in online courses at the school in 2013, studying nonprofit leadership.

“Everything about the Bush School was and still is top notch,” he said, “and I think that stems from the president and Mrs. Bush and everything they stood for. Their passion for public service shows throughout the school.”

Finding Home in Aggieland

Though Allen never stepped foot on campus as a Texas A&M student, it wasn’t long until his passion led him to College Station. “Throughout my professional career, I knew I wanted to volunteer at President Bush’s library when I retired,” he shared.

As he considered opportunities to connect with the Bush Library, a tragic event inspired him to make a significant investment in Aggieland. His wife, Leigh, passed away from terminal cancer, which prompted Allen to ensure his own affairs were in line. “Through my wife’s journey with cancer, I began to seriously think about my charitable goals,” he said. “I knew I wanted to provide scholarship support to Texas A&M, so one of my first calls was to the Texas A&M Foundation.”

After a process that Allen described as “comfortable and personable,” he included a bequest in his living trust that will establish the Christopher W. Allen ’13 Charitable Trust Endowed Memorial Scholarship after his lifetime. Upon settlement of his trust, the scholarship will support students of all majors at the Bush School in College Station and Washington, D.C.  

“I hope my gift will help the Bush School remain the country’s top school for public service, government and international affairs,” Allen shared, “and that it is a conduit that allows students to flourish here under the legacy of the president and his life of public service.”

Allen emphasized that planned giving was the most ideal avenue to make his gift because it empowered him to prepare his assets for the future while giving to a meaningful cause. He also encouraged others to address estate planning sooner rather than later. “As someone who has lost a spouse, I think it’s extremely important to explore your philanthropic options,” he shared. “We truly never know what tomorrow holds, so it’s important to ensure you are prepared.”

By preparing for his future, Allen is helping pave the way for tomorrow’s Aggies. He said he chose to give scholarships to Bush School students to continue advancing the school’s programs while enabling them to learn from Bush’s legacy. “President Bush’s lifetime was a model of public service,” Allen shared. “Whether it was being a combat naval aviator during World War II, serving his community as a member of Congress or leading our country as president, we all have so much to learn from him.”

Allen has given on all fronts, volunteering his time with the Astros Foundation and sharing his nonprofit experience as a corporate development manager at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston. Now a College Station resident, he continues to share 41’s legacy as a docent at the Bush Library. Through his volunteerism, Allen creates a personalized experience for visitors.

He expressed that, much like his commander-in-chief, he didn’t need to spend much time in Aggieland before it began to feel like home. 

“One of the most frequently asked questions from visitors is ‘Why is the library in College Station if George Bush didn’t attend Texas A&M?’” Allen said. “I explain that he put the library and Bush School here because he had a high belief in the core values that Texas A&M students, faculty and staff exhibit every day. I share that exact feeling, which is why I’m proud to now call this place my home.”