N.C. A&T Alumni Times

For many Aggie alumni, Vernell Stallings ’64 has always been a well-known name throughout campus especially in the former Memorial Student Union, where the ballroom was dedicated to him in his honor. His commitment to Aggieland stems from over 20 years of employment and has impacted the lives of many students.

As a young man, Stallings grew up in Warsaw, North Carolina, and he credits his parents for preparing him for the life ahead of him and for his many successes.

“My parents were sharecroppers who worked really hard and they were really stern with my upbringing,” he said. “It was my parents who taught me how to stay out of trouble and instilled in me pride and understanding my culture.”

Stallings graduated in 1964 from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (formerly known as North Carolina A&T College until 1968) with a degree in industrial technology. While he attended college, he was active in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), a member of the Pershing Rifles Society and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

After graduation, Stallings worked as a teacher for one year and in 1965 he was called to active duty with the U.S. Army to satisfy his commission from ROTC. From 1965-67, he served for 13 months in the Vietnam War as a combat platoon leader and company commander.

“When I served in the Vietnam War as a leader, I was always out front and it was an awful experience I will never forget because of the loss of several good men during that war,” he said. “Unless you’ve been to war, you wouldn’t understand how it affects a person when they return. I retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a major after 20 years of service in 1986.”

In 1967, Stallings and his family returned to North Carolina so that he could obtain his master’s degree in industrial technology from North Carolina A&T. From 1967-79, he worked as an insurance agent, probation officer and for 10 years as the first African American human resources director for Cone Mills Corporation. In 1979, he returned to N.C. A&T to work as the associate director of the Memorial Student Union.

“For 22 years, I managed the student union and I loved every moment of being in that position of working with students because they kept me on my toes and continued to renew my spirit,” he said.

During Stallings’ time of running the Memorial Student Union, he was a pioneer in starting the bowling team at N.C. A&T. During his 20-year tenure as a coach, the bowling team secured three MEAC championships in 1996, 1997 and 1999. He retired from coaching in 1999.

“I believe it was my calling to coach bowling at A&T and it was something I truly enjoyed,” he said. “Bowling to me is an individual sport and it allows the player to show off their talents.”

In 2001, due to Stallings’ hard work and commitment to A&T, the university dedicated the ballroom in his name. For years, the ballroom was used frequently for student events, community engagements, special events and prominent moments on campus.

“One of the greatest memories of my life was the day the university dedicated the ballroom in my honor. It was an amazing moment and something I will never forget,” he said.

“In 2014 when the university tore down the Memorial Student Union, it hurt to see it because of the number of years I worked there and to see my name come off the ballroom. However, I am extremely excited about the New Student Center and the awesome features it has in store for the students,” he said. “If it benefits our students, I am 100 percent behind it because I want to see students continue to thrive in their academics and student life.”

Over the years, Stallings has invested a lot into the university to benefit students through The Stallings Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship was set up by Vernell and his wife, Patricia Stallings, who is also a 1964 graduate of A&T.

“N.C. A&T invested so much into me as a student and if it wasn’t for this university I would not have been able to secure the jobs I have obtained. I always look at this university like my church and it’s important to me to always give back,” he said. “One of my favorite quotes and scriptures I live by is ‘…to whom much is given, from him much will be required…’ (Luke 12:48). I believe fully that it’s a blessing to always be a giver and to help people along the way.”

In 2003, Stallings was honored by A&T with the Alumni Excellence Award. In the same year, he earned the N.C. A&T Athletic Lifetime Achievement Award, a lifetime membership in the Association of College Unions International, and received the Distinguish Alumni Award from the National Association for Equal Opportunity. In 2004, he was inducted in the North Carolina A&T Sports Hall of Fame.

For anyone interested in supporting The Stallings Endowed Scholarship, contact University Advancement at 336-334-7600 or email giving@ncat.edu.