Brian Allen, award-winning writer and editor for the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, died last week at the age of 45.
He joined UH in December 2001 as a writer/editor for engineering's Office of Communications, where he researched, wrote and edited 198 features and news stories for the college's online newsroom and wrote 53 stories that were used for media relations efforts to promote the college.
He served as editor of the college's Parameters magazine, which received four awards from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC/Houston) and a Gold Excalibur Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA/Houston). His Neuro-Engineering and Engineering the Environment scientific writing collections received awards from the Council for the Advancement & Support of Education (CASE) District IV. The Marvels of Engineering undergraduate recruitment brochure (both the original and latest versions which Brian edited and provided editorial support) received nine awards from CASE District IV, two awards from IABC District 5, three awards from IABC/Houston and two awards from PRSA Houston. He wrote the script for the college's first in-house video and coordinated the first online video clips that complimented online stories.
Before joining UH, Brian was editor and lead writer of award-winning publications at UT Houston Health Science Center for four years and also spent over 10 years writing and editing for the Pasadena Citizen, Houston Post, Baker & Botts, American Bureau of Shipping and American General Financial Group.
He graduated from UH with a bachelor's degree in English Literature. He was a member of PRSA, IABC and Toastmasters International.
A private service was held last week for the family.