He was a native of Indiana, and pursued a career as a professor of astronomy after receiving his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees.

[1] His father imparted to him a love of education and a fascination with astronomy derived from their shared backyard observations of the night sky.

[5] After his permanent successor, J. Wayne Reitz, assumed office in 1955, Allen continued to work as the executive vice president of the University of Florida until 1957.

[2] During his time at Florida, he was intimately involved in the planning of the university's new state medical school, teaching hospital and health science center complex.

He didn't think that was funny at all.On August 1, 1957, the newly minted university president and his secretary Ann Strickland moved into a borrowed office in the Hillsborough County Courthouse and went to work.

[1] According to The Tampa Tribune, Allen brought with him a note pad, a box of pencils, an ashtray for visitors and "great hope.

[13] Allen became known for his opposition to major college sports programs in favor of a more academically centered university environment.

[13] He received national media attention for his insistence that USF would not start a football team or other major intercollegiate sports programs, and would instead spend the funds saved on academic needs.

By the beginning of the 2009–2010 academic year, over 47,000 undergraduate and graduate students were enrolled on the university's four campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Lakeland.