Flathead Valley Community College honored Faith Hodges, retired executive director of enrollment management and Title III, with this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award at the annual Alumni & Ambassadors spring luncheon.
The Distinguished Alumni Award honors graduates of FVCC whose career achievements, service to others and their communities and passion for FVCC rises above the rest. Hodges was recognized for giving a lifetime of service, leadership and generosity to her alma mater, Flathead Valley Community College, and for living the FVCC mission to improve lives through lifelong learning.
Hodges began her career at FVCC in 1973 as a non-paid secretary. Throughout her tenure, she worked her way toward receiving an associate’s degree at FVCC and later, her bachelor’s and Master of Business Administration degrees from University of Montana, all while serving in 11 different positions at the college and raising a family. Throughout her career, she worked in nearly all college departments, including instruction, student services, planning and development, institutional research, enrollment management, grant management and business services. Upon her retirement, she was presented the honor of Dean Emeritus in recognition of her nearly 40 years of service to the college.
As a student and community advocate, Hodges chaired and served on the college United Way Committee for many years; played an instrumental role in founding the college’s Employee Giving Fund, which provides emergency funds for students going through difficult times or those in need; chaired the college’s budget committee; founded the college’s intramurals program; helped establish and accredit new academic programs; served on the college’s founding Alumni Council; and taught as an adjunct instructor for credit and non-credit classes.
Outside the college, Hodges was recognized for her active involvement in the community and her service on multiple boards. In 1998, she was recognized for outstanding service to the college and the community when she received the prestigious Eagle Award, the college’s highest honor.