Five Questions with Ronnie Stallworth
Posted on December 16, 2024 by Marcomm
Ronnie Stallworth ’03 became the University of South Alabama National Alumni Association’s 46th president on Aug. 22. Stallworth, senior director of business development at Hargrove Engineers & Constructors, worked his way through college over 13 years, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He recently spoke to South Magazine about how alumni can get involved and what lies ahead.
What's on the agenda for the National Alumni Association under President Ronnie Stallworth?
Key priorities include accelerating our alumni membership beyond our current record levels and seeding more opportunities for alumni and current students to connect. As we move into the next decade, it’s essential that we lead more opportunities for collaboration between current students, new grads and the vast network of experienced professionals that we have around the globe.
One of the ways you've supported South is through the Ronnie Stallworth Chemical Engineering Scholarship. Can you talk about the importance of that gift?
Getting a chemical engineering degree from South drastically changed the trajectory of my life and my family’s. With the help of very generous donors, such as Mr. Charles Koetting, this scholarship has helped dozens of students complete their degrees and go on to have very successful careers in engineering.
Fill in the blank. Univesity of South Alabama Alumni.
Are always willing to help fellow Jaguars become more successful.
How can alumni get involved if there is no chapter where they live?
I didn’t have a local chapter from 2003-2018; however, joining the NAA gave me plenty of opportunities to get and stay involved. I also connected through social media and made it a priority to attend at least one game during the season.
The NAA turned 50 in 2024. Use your crystal ball and tell us what the future looks like at 100.
Rapidly changing technology is creating larger gaps between traditional and nontraditional career paths. The NAA is the glue and a conduit to connect graduates back to South. I envision the NAA evolving into an essential hub and even a service provider, to an extent, for current students and alumni to forge deeper professional connections.