The Foreign Service Journal, May 2009

M A Y 2 0 0 9 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 41 n Jan. 31, Brian Adkins became the lat- est Foreign Service officer, and one of the youngest, to make the ultimate sac- rifice. He was honored at AFSA’s Me- morial Plaque ceremony on May 1 at the State Department. Brian’s life was tragically cut short by a murderer in Addis Ababa, his first posting. A brilliant, tal- ented and dedicated officer, Brian had a promising career be- fore him. But more than that, he was a friend, even a brother, to those whose lives he touched. News of Brian’s untimely death raced around the globe as we of his A-100 and his Pickering Fellows classes reached out to one another, to the department and to his family. In so doing, we shared our thoughts and fondest memories of the singularly exceptional individual that he was. A Pickering Fellow Brian’s dedication to service began early. By the time he finished high school in Whitehall, Ohio, Brian had already discovered a keen interest in languages, politics and world affairs. A devout Catholic, Brian was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and followed his heart and his faith into the world. He won the prestigious Thomas Pick- ering Fellowship in 2001, and that was the start of his jour- ney to a career in diplomacy. Both as an undergraduate and graduate student of the El- liott School of International Affairs at The George Washing- ton University, Brian distinguished himself academically, earning magna cum laude honors and studying abroad at the Sorbonne. A classical violinist, he was a certified Suzuki Method instructor. He also distinguished himself socially, gathering around him a circle of friends attracted by his warm, caring nature, his sense of humor and his genuine joie de vivre. While enrolled in the Master of International Trade Pol- icy program, Brian also worked full-time as a trade analyst, first with the Department of Commerce and then for the Whitaker Group, a firm that focuses on African trade. Be- tween his first and second years of graduate school, he served at the U.S. embassy in Tunisia. Speaking six languages by the time he graduated, including French and Arabic, Brian was well prepared for his life as a diplomat. A Standout Brian joined the Foreign Service on July 9, 2007, as a member of the 135th A-100 class. Just as in high school and college, Brian was an instant standout with his classmates. He served as co-chair of the budget committee and helped to ensure all of the class’s service and social functions were well funded. Brian demonstrated his musical talents during skit night at The Woods retreat, lending his voice and dance stylings to “FSI Nights” (to the tune of “Summer Nights” from Grease ) and “Foreign Service” (to the tune of “New York, New York”). He was a constant fixture at the class’s many social events. Like many entry-level officers, Brian and his classmates were sent all over the world — to five different continents, from Latin America to East Asia. In just its first tour, the A PPRECIATION A L IFE D EDICATED TO S ERVICE B RIAN D ANIEL A DKINS , 1983-2009 B Y C HARLES H ORNBOSTEL Charles Hornbostel is a vice consul at Embassy Skopje, Mace- donia, a fellow alumnus of the Elliott School and a member of the 135th A-100 class. He gratefully acknowledges the input and assistance of Brian’s family, friends, classmates and col- leagues in preparation of this tribute. O