There was a time Allie Stoll of Benton thought she needed to create her own path in order to make her mark on the world.
Her parents, Darci and Mark Stoll, went to Arkansas Tech University. Her sister, Autumn Stoll, went to Arkansas Tech University. As a consequence, Allie initially planned on going to college anywhere other than Arkansas Tech University.
“And then I got to senior year (at Benton High School), and I started really thinking about colleges…and I was like…wait, I really do love Arkansas Tech,” said Stoll. “I was nervous because my sister does have a big personality and my parents have friends who work at Arkansas Tech. And then I got to Arkansas Tech…and I started making all these friends that were my age…and that whole thing I was worried about just disappeared because I realized I could make my own legacy.”
Three years after choosing Arkansas Tech, Stoll is the 2026 Margaret Young Outstanding Senior Award winner at ATU.
She will complete her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in business data analytics during the fall 2026 semester and will be recognized during ATU commencement in December.
“I kind of came into college not having a serious side or one that could get down to business,” said Stoll. “Having school projects and organizations where I had to step up…and having friends, faculty and mentors who pushed me to grow…I’m really thankful for everyone at Arkansas Tech who has helped me become who I am now. Obviously, I still have more learning to do and that will keep happening, but I’ve had so many good experiences and so many learning opportunities. I’m really thankful that I didn’t stop at freshman year me.”
Stoll’s academic pursuits at ATU have included research on analyzing gender inequality in various countries, the growth of women’s sports and the gross domestic product of North American countries. She also represented Arkansas Tech in the 2026 National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship in Nashville, Tenn.
“You’re going up against Syracuse, Rutgers…all these big schools,” said Stoll. “It was fun to compete with them and realize that you are head-to-head with them. My analyses were just as good as someone from a bigger school, so it was eye opening in that respect.”
Beyond the classroom, Stoll served as vice president for Delta Zeta and College Panhellenic Council. Taking on those leadership positions required her to step outside her comfort zone.
“In high school, I did all these things, but I was too scared to be a leader,” said Stoll. “I was an active member, but I didn’t really have any leadership roles. Coming into college, I was just fine doing that, but I met all these people that were leaders and were managing their time so well. Meeting people that were seniors when I was a freshman and seeing them do it…I was like, okay, maybe I can do this, too.
“I was able to learn so much about being a leader,” continued Stoll. “Being a leader is really just communicating and finding who has what strengths and putting that to use by delegating certain tasks to them. It’s trying to make sure that everyone knows they are important to whatever task is going on.”
Stoll also held membership in ATU organizations such as the ATU Honors program, Presidential Leadership Cabinet, the National Millennial and Gen Z Organization, Wesley Campus Ministry and the ATU new student orientation program.
“As an orientation leader, I’ve gotten to see so many freshmen do these great things,” said Stoll. “It makes me so happy because I got to see them be so nervous and so scared of everything, and then they turn into amazing leaders themselves. That’s the biggest benefit (of leadership)…seeing people grow and helping them find their way.”
Stoll was a student worker in the ATU Learning Center, the ATU LeMoyne Smith School of Business and, most recently, the ATU Office of Alumni Relations and University Events.
“It’s one of my favorite things,” said Stoll. “I love going to work, and I have amazing bosses. Homecoming week is always their busiest week. Before I worked there, I knew Homecoming was really hard to work on, but I didn’t understand how much effort went into planning it. I get to see all the behind-the-scenes stuff of what goes into making all these events come through. The job can be a lot sometimes, but it’s so rewarding.”
Arkansas Tech turned out to be a family tradition that was too appealing for Stoll to deny. As she prepares to graduate and move on to a new adventure, Stoll realizes she added to what she considers her family during her time on campus at ATU.
“If you are my friend, I really do consider you family,” said Stoll. “I value making sure everyone feels important. I’ve walked into rooms before and I haven’t felt like I really needed to be there or that people wanted me there, so I don’t want anyone else to feel that way. I want you to have a seat at whatever table we’re at, that you know you are really important and that no matter what you are going through, everyone really needs you. If anyone ever needs a friend, I would love to be someone’s friend.”
