Vernon F. Shogren was born and raised in Cloquet, Minnesota. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Minnesota in 1950, a Master of Architecture from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1952 and a certificate from the Technische Hogeschole, Delft, Netherlands during a Fulbright Scholarship in 1952-1953. He taught at the NCSU School of Design from 1953-1955 and 1961-1992. He was named to the Academy of Outstanding Teachers in 1964-1965 and 1969-1970. He received a Distinguished Alumni Professorship in 1972-1975. In a 1977 survey conducted by N. C. Architect, he was overwhelmingly named by graduates of the School of Design as the teacher having the most profound influence during their design education. His professional experience included a number of years in the office of Eero Saarinen & Associates. Prof. Shogren died December 5, 1995. A memorial service was held in the rotunda at the School of Design on January 13, 1996.

The Vernon F. Shogren Endowment has been established with the NCSU Foundation, Inc. to promote unique study and scholarship into proposed endeavors by the students and faculty, both former and active, and others with interests in the NCSU School of Design. The intent of the Endowment is to encourage exploration of alternative directions in design and architecture within the School of Design. The results of the Endowment would be seen as a product not only of the individual or group, but also of the School. The goal of the Endowment is to directly affect student and faculty in ways which will promote the School of Design's heritage and future.