Alabama A&M alumnus and NFL great John Stallworth made a big-time contribution to his alma mater on Friday, not only serving as the speaker for the Spring Commencement Ceremony but donating a substantial amount to the institution. The John Stallworth Foundation and the Alabama A&M Foundation collaborated to form a new endowment: The John and Flo Stalworth Endowed Scholarship. The first gift to the new endowment is $1,214,721. The news was announced following Stallworth’s commencement address.
Stallworth, a standout from Alabama A&M, broke records for receptions during his career and in single games. He made history as the first Alabama A&M player in the Senior Bowl. He dedicated his entire 14-year career to Pittsburgh after was selected by the Steelers in the fourth round with the 82nd pick. Stallworth earned Steelers’ team MVP honors twice and secured a spot on their All-Time Team in 1982. His name adorned nearly every Steelers pass reception record for both single seasons and careers.
With appearances in eight league championship games and four Super Bowls, the Steelers emerged victorious in all four: 1975, 1976, 1979, and 1980. Stallworth earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Beyond football, he transitioned to becoming the President and CEO of the Madison Research Corporation and currently leads as the Chair of AAMU’s 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee.
The gift is another positive moment for Alabama A&M, who has undergone immense growth in the past year. The institution welcomed its largest freshman class in history in August, as over 2,000 first-time students from 35 states and 7 countries represented the Class of 2027 for the Bulldogs. Alabama A&M experienced a surge in applications last Spring, receiving a record-breaking number of 15,000 applicants, representing a 30 percent increase compared to the previous recruitment cycle. Transfer applications also rose 16 percent.
“We are delighted to welcome this exceptional class to Alabama A&M University,” said President Daniel K. Wims in a statement obtained by HBCU Pulse “Each student brings their unique strengths, backgrounds, and aspirations, already making their mark on the AAMU story. Our commitment is to prepare them for success, both in their careers and in life. It’s no wonder that students and families are choosing Alabama A&M in record numbers.”
