James L. Allen, 87, a founder of the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management and Life Trustee at Northwestern, died Nov. 5 [1992].
Allen also was former chairman and the first managing partner of the international management consulting firm Booz, Allen & Hamilton Inc.
Allen graduated from Northwestern in 1929 with a bachelor's degree in economics. He was named a member of the Northwestern University Board of Trustees in 1960, and was named a Life Trustee in 1975.
As chairman of the Business School's advisory committee he urged Northwestern to close the undergraduate business degree program and concentrate on the new graduate school.
In 1979, Allen's gift to the University led to the opening of the James L. Allen Center, which is dedicated exclusively to the continuing education of top executives. The Center is credited with helping the graduate school achieve national prominence. This year, for the third consecutive time, Kellogg topped the rankings of business schools throughout the world.
Allen also received both the Alumni Merit Award and the Alumni Medal from the Northwestern Alumni Association.
In 1946, Allen organized an executive committee at Booz, Allen & Hamilton, becoming the firm's first managing partner; and in 1947 he became chairman of the governing board, serving until 1970. During Allen's years as chairman at Booz Allen, the firm developed many of the corporate management tools and techniques still being used today.
He was a director of Jewel Companies Inc., S.C. Johnson & Son Inc., and Abbott Laboratories, where he was chairman of the executive committee.
Allen is survived by his wife, Frances; three daughters, Ruth Hopfenbech, Martha Park and Mary Carson; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
