Winter 2007

Hodges deeply committed to Miami

Editor’s note:
Few in the Miami community are aware that before David, Valerie and their daughter Meriem Hodge had moved into the Lottie Moon House (the temporary home of the 21st president and his family) they had already inquired about establishing an endowed scholarship at Miami University. While news of the scholarship has been kept quiet at the Hodges’ request, members of the Division of University Advancement requested to make the gift public. During winter break, President and Mrs. Hodge
sat down to discuss their commitment to Miami. In a quiet, unassuming manner, familiar to all who know the Hodges, they discussed their reasons for creating the scholarship. Their reason for keeping it quiet was simple: it’s about what the gift can do, and not about them.

Miami’s 21st president, David Hodge, has quickly demonstrated his commitment to Miami through his ardent support of faculty and students. He’s initiated the redesign of six of the largest courses taught on campus to achieve greater academic excellence at Miami. He established the Miami Access Initiative to provide scholarships to students with family incomes less than $35,000. He also spent time during winter break calling alumni and friends to thank them for making a financial commitment to the university.

President Hodge and his wife Valerie have also shown their commitment to Miami by endowing a scholarship.

The David and Valerie Hodge Endowed Scholarship at Miami University will provide need-based assistance to a first-generation (the first in a family to attend college) undergraduate student. On average, nearly 20 percent of Miami’s freshman class is composed of first-generation college students. When asked why they chose to create this scholarship, Valerie’s answer was straightforward and clear: “Because we’re both first-generation students and know personally what a profound impact college can have.”

In a June 1998 study completed by the National Center for Education Statistics, first-generation students were more likely than their non-first-generation counterparts to respond that obtaining the amount of financial aid they needed to attend college was very important.

At Miami, 51 percent of full-time Oxford students completed a financial aid application for the 2005-2006 academic year. Of those that completed an aid application, 79 percent, or 5,789 students, were determined to have financial need. Of these, only 1,707, or 29 percent, had their financial need fully met. Endowed scholarships, such as The David and Valerie Hodge Endowed Scholarship, have a lasting impact and may make it possible for students to attend Miami who would otherwise be unable to do so.

“Higher education should be a pathway to opportunity for everybody,” President Hodge explained. “That is becoming very difficult without help. We want every qualified student who wants to attend Miami to be able to do so.”

When fully funded, the endowment will support one student per year, and will be renewable based on academic achievement. The scholarship may cover all or part of tuition and may also provide support for books, fees and other educational expenses. With their five year pledge, the Hodges become members of the Prodesse Society.

Valerie said that attending college changed both of their lives, and the scholarship support they received made it possible for them to attend Macalester College.

President Hodge added, “As part of the Miami community, this is our way to give back. We are deeply committed to Miami and to its success. It’s important for us to give back as best we can by giving to the future.”

Back to the Giving Tribute Winter 2007