Chico Stories: Nancy Hodges

Nancy Hodges has deep ties to her community. Part of that community is Chico State.

As a little girl, Nancy went to school on campus, attending College Elementary near the college administration building. Her mother belonged to the American Association of University Women, so she got to know teachers such as biology professor Vesta Holt.

Nancy returned to Chico State to attend college. She stopped for a while to get married and start a family. Then, when her little girl was in nursery school, Nancy resumed her studies. She has fond memories of bringing daughter Pamela to campus. “I’d pick her up from nursery school, and she’d say, ‘I want to have a Coke where the big kids are,’ ” recalls Nancy. “So I’d take her to campus, and all the students were fascinated with her.”

Throughout the years, Nancy has remained involved with Chico State. She has generously funded the Campus Alcohol and Drug Education Center’s 21st-birthday card program, dedicated to her daughter, Pamela Jean Talley, who died of cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 29. She has also established a charitable remainder trust that will one day benefit the School of Social Work and the Department of Psychology.

Nancy’s gifts to the University are helping students now and into the future. For more information on how you can help the students and programs at Chico State, please call the Office of University Advancement at 530-898-5297.