Miami Student

Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Front Page

President Hodge attends his presidential inauguration Oct. 20.

President Hodge and wife Valerie walk through campus during their visit to Oxford.

President Hodge plays a game of broomball for his team Rowdybush.

In his inaugural address, newly elected president David Hodge outlined goals for his first year. The main goal outlined a "fusion of learning," which would include increased technology, a strengthening of education, and more diversity.

As his first year as Miami University's president comes to a close, Hodge can only smile.

He began the year by both increasing the dollar amount of and extending the time for the fund-raising For Love and Honor Campaign through Miami's bicentennial year. He saw the sophomore experience committee take action to require second-year students to live on campus. He has overseen the beginning stages of Miami's Access Initiative and other projects to bring more prestige to the university's faculty and students. But looking back at it all, Hodge can't stop thinking about fishing.

"My family is heading back to our cabin in Washington state for two full weeks this summer and I plan to fish every single day of it," he said. "I'm cutting my hours back to 40-50 a week so Valerie and I can sneak away for as many weekends as we can."

For Hodge, the presidency has been so much more than a job to him.

"I've accomplished many of the things I hoped to this year but I have to temper that with the fact that I didn't really know what needed to be accomplished," he said. "We didn't come here with the vision to make Miami different but to reinforce what is already there."

He added that while part of his job is to find ways to make Miami a better school in terms of faculty, facilities, and classes, he needed to get to know the students first.

"It has been an absolutely, extraordinarily wonderful experience to be involved with so many different student groups," Hodge said. "I've found that Miami has mature, involved student groups and a deeply committed faculty."

He said some of his favorite events this year have been the first-year convocation, which was his first activity as president, all of the Glee Club concerts, the visit from former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner, and especially his visit to Miami's Luxembourg campus.

"Visiting Luxembourg was great," Hodge said. "Seeing the campus really changed my views of what can happen there."

Vice President of Student Affairs Richard Nault served on the presidential search committee that selected Hodge.

"When we first met with Dr. Hodge in a hotel conference room in Columbus, we were struck by his warmth, his visionary understanding of complex issues in higher education, and his commitment to students," Nault said, via e-mail. "He has surpassed even what we thought that day might be possible."

Nault said looking back on the year, Hodge's most moving quality was simply his presence.

"I have always liked the phrase that 'you persuade by your presence' - the notion that it is your actions, not your words, that most convince others," Nault said. "President Hodge and Valerie Hodge have persuaded by their presence. From the beginning they have involved themselves in the life of this community. They have cared deeply about students."

At the same time, Nault added, the president never forgets about the bigger picture of the university.

"He knows what we must do next to become a great institution," Nault said. "This has been an exceptional first year."

Chris Taylor, associate director in the Office of Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution, agreed that Hodge's deep support for the students at Miami is refreshing.

"As you can imagine, there are a lot of areas in our office that can easily attract the attention of the president with all of the Greek life and different student organizations," Taylor said. "We've maintained a really great relationship with him because he is so active on campus."

Taylor added that in the next few years, he would like to see a continuing focus on the alcohol task force and a following up on that agenda.

"I have to say, having worked at other institutions, there is a definite 'honeymoon' period in new positions," Taylor said. "But I do have a very positive feeling that Hodge will try to continue his upswing in the following year. There will obviously be a leveling off period, but not to a great extent I'm sure."

Though he has kept the university on a busy track this year, Hodge said students may not see as many new things next fall.

"My goals for next year are figuring out a way to have one of the most prestigious undergraduate programs in the country," Hodge said. "I would like to see more attendance at events and students more engaged in campus activities."

Claire Wagner, assistant director of university communications, said Hodge is just the person to increase involvement.

"Dr. Hodge is much more comfortable in large groups (than President James Garland was)," Wagner said. "Wherever he and his wife could physically be, they were. They love getting to know people and attending events."

She added that this definitely has been a busy year for him with the new nationwide rankings for the university and all of the construction operations.

"He is always very open with students and staff about the budget and things he deals the most with," Wagner said. "He is never satisfied and always wants to improve. Next year will be interesting since we have all these new positions. He definitely has a lot of energy for the task."

As for himself next year, Hodge will spend a majority of his time dealing with the university's financial issues, as Miami is facing a budget deficit of approximately $7 million.

"I'll be spending more time away from the campus next year," he said. "This year was for me to really get to know the university and now that I have a better picture, I know how to work with the finances and help market the campaign."

However, Hodge added that he will still try and be as involved as he can.

"It's not in my nature to be uninvolved," Hodge said. "Valerie and I draw tremendous energy from being around the faculty, students and staff. I would hate for students to feel less connected."

Oxford City Mayor Jerome Conley said this engagement with students and community is one of the best leadership qualities Hodge has.

"We have really enjoyed having Dr. and Mrs. Hodge as residents in Oxford," Conley said. "They have taken great steps to infuse and immerse themselves into the community."

Conley added that he sees Hodge's biggest accomplishment this year to be making Miami a better university.

"Dr. Hodge is always engaged in conversations with students, faculty, and staff trying to research how to make Miami better," Conley said. "Between playing broomball and attending a large number of events, he has really exhibited the leadership qualities needed here."

As for next year, Conley hopes to see an even greater emphasis on the safety of students and citizens as well as more dealings with underage drinking.

"Safety should always remain a high priority and we need to identify what we can do better in those areas," Conley said. "I would also like to see greater support for our coalitions for a healthy community. We need to work together with bar owners uptown to promote a better and more controlled environment for students and citizens."

The Hodge family will be moving into Lewis Place June 12 and hope this will make connecting with students easier.

"We will have the space to be able to host a variety of events at Lewis Place," Hodge said. "We already have events at our home almost every night but this move will increase the capacity that we can host."

Though Hodge is looking forward to his vacation time this summer, he doesn't plan on neglecting the university in the least.

"The world doesn't stand still," he said. "There is always more to do."

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