Alumni Spotlight: Chris Crawford

Chris Crawford is an SUU alumnus, war veteran and now a Vice-Consul at the U.S. Embassy in Paris France. Since graduating from SUU, Chris has been deployed to Iraq, graduated law school at William and Mary College in Virginia and joined the Foreign Service with the State Department.

As a vice-consul, Chris is responsible for helping Americans while in France with lost passports, imprisonment and other needs they may have. Chris, his wife Kelly and their four children (two boys and two girls) live on the outskirts of Paris. His boys attend an international school, and his oldest daughter goes to a local French school.

Crawford credits Professor Walser as very influential in his career decision. “His stories about his experiences as a Legal Attaches at the Embassy in Mexico was what first peaked my interest and prompted me to research international career opportunities with our government,” he states.

When asked about his most memorable accomplishments professionally, Chris notes his time in the military. He describes, “Serving my country as a soldier in Operation Iraqi Freedom was a life shaping experience. The camaraderie forged during that activation will last a lifetime.” Chris has many other accomplishments; Some are passing the Virginia bar, getting accepted to the US Foreign Service and welcoming his third child all on the same day as the most exciting day of his life thus far.

Scholarship weekends that Chris organized during his time as a Presidential Ambassador are some of his favorite SUU memories. He says, “These were always an incredible amount of fun and provided a fantastic opportunity to brag about SUU and all it had to offer, along with the benefits of living in beautiful Cedar City. Meeting young potential Thunderbirds from all over the country kept each weekend unique and fresh.” Crawford tries to return to Cedar City any time he is in the United States and plans to hold a recruitment event for the State Department at SUU. He keeps his Thunderbird pride alive by wearing his SUU hat whenever he is out and about.