2002

A quiet, non-flashy gentleman who is often the leader of the behind-the-scenes crew has been recognized by the College of Agriculture for his distinguished efforts and prestigious accomplishments.

Stan Hodges has spent his life mastering all facets of agriculture. His knowledge and skills include animal science, farm machinery, and agriculture education. Because of his vast knowledge and passion for agriculture, the College of Agriculture at CSU, Chico is proud to honor him with the 2002 Distinguished Alumni Award. The Distinguished Alumni Program is an annual university-wide event that honors alumni from all seven colleges at the University.

Hodges got his start at Chico State majoring in animal science. “For those of us involved from the beginning, we had a lot of fun developing the agriculture program,” Hodges says.

Sandy Beck, a friend of Hodges recalls, “Stan worked like a clock. From Sunday evening until Friday afternoon there would be no sign of him. You could only find him in class or at the library studying. Come Friday night, Stan would enjoy the many extra-curricular activities that college students take part in. When Sunday evening rolled around it was back to the rotation.”

Other then his arduous work with developing the University Farm and perfecting his project for farm power class, he focused on his schooling. Hodges graduated from CSU, Chico in 1960 with his bachelor’s in animal science.

Hodges received his master’s at University of California Davis in 1967, and finished with his doctorate from Oklahoma State University. While working on his master’s, Hodges taught agriculture at Yuba City High School were he met his wife Joyce, a home economics teacher. A key player in developing one of the strongest high school agriculture departments in the nation at the time, Hodges accepted a job at Modesto Junior College as an agriculture mechanics instructor. Since his early days of teaching, his enthusiasm and love for education as been the catalyst of his many endeavors. 

Hodges’ philosophy is this: In order to be successful, teamwork from high schools, colleges, and the industry must be evident in all facets of agriculture. This philosophy allowed him to move up the ladder at Modesto Junior College. His eagerness and ability to expand the agriculture program was apparent to his colleagues, and he rapidly progressed from instructor to agriculture department chairperson to chief instructional officer, to president of the college. 

While serving as president from 1987 to 1995, Hodges built a great networking system and gained much needed support from the community. A strong supporter of community participation, he has remained involved in community projects and organizations. Some of his affiliations include the California Agriculture Teachers Association, Association of California Community Colleges, Learning Assessment Retention Consortium of California, Northern California Chief Instructional Officers Association and Northern California Chief Executive Officers. He has served his community by participation in the Modesto Rotary, past president of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, past president of Stanislaus Economic Development Corporation, and served on the Foundation Board of Doctors Medical Center.

Outside of his continuous community involvement, Hodges enjoys water sports, camping, taking trips with his RV and he is a pilot. Hodges and his wife have two daughters, Kristen and Kari.