As a political science student at Boston University, Allen Wan (CAS’90) planned to go to law school and enter public service. He never imagined he would become an Emmy Award–winning foreign correspondent.
Yet BU’s broad liberal arts curriculum—paired with a transformative study abroad term at Oxford, a congressional internship in Washington, D.C., and working at WGBH in Boston during his senior year—unlocked a passion for writing and broadcasting that laid the foundation for a decades-long career in journalism.
Today, Allen is a Senior Editor and former bureau chief for Bloomberg News in China and has covered defining moments in modern history throughout his career, including the aftermath of 9/11 and the Shanghai Covid-19 protests. His work for Bloomberg, Reuters and Dow Jones MarketWatch has earned him numerous industry honors, including accolades from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW), the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA), and most recently, an Emmy Award.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to journalism and public service, the College of Arts & Sciences is honoring Allen with a 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award.
“Allen Wan exemplifies the true spirit of a liberal arts education by being curious, adaptable, and endlessly driven,” Stan Sclaroff, dean of Arts & Sciences, says. “From his foundational studies in political science at BU to his fearless, award-winning journalism, his journey proves that a degree in Arts & Sciences doesn’t just prepare you for one path. It equips you to navigate and shape the world in countless ways.”
Inspired by a rich blend of coursework and hands-on opportunities as an undergraduate, Allen’s aspirations have always extended beyond a single discipline. He has explored several other paths, including teaching in Japan, working in the U.S. State Department and earning his law degree and becoming a lawyer.
Though he ultimately landed a career in journalism, his wide-ranging background gave him a unique perspective that continues to inform his reporting today.
He says his senior seminars with Japan scholar Terry MacDougall were also pivotal in navigating his post-graduation trajectory. MacDougall’s guidance and mentorship led Allen to pursue a Japanese exchange program—a move that sparked his lifelong connection to Asia, where he has spent much of his adult life.
Though Allen has already achieved his lifelong ambitions, his passion for public service remains strong, and he still aspires to run for public office one day to make a difference in other people’s lives.
“BU was always encouraging and supportive of my intellectual pursuits, wherever that took me,” Wan says.