WCU Stories      April 30, 2025

By Bill Studenc

Western Carolina University alumnus and Asheville resident Stephen Hodge had a bit of difficulty deciding whether to direct a recent financial contribution for his alma mater to support academics or athletics. So, the banking executive who grew up in Rutherfordton reached the conclusion to do both.

That’s why Hodge, a 1976 graduate of WCU with a bachelor's degree in finance, made gifts and pledges totaling $50,000 to WCU, with half going toward a major effort to upgrade the university’s athletics facilities. The other $25,000 is being used to create a new scholarship in honor of his lifelong educator spouse that will support students from Western North Carolina.

Named “The H.S. Hodge Family Scholarship in honor of Gin Hodge,” the fund will support WCU students majoring in elementary education. Recipients must reside in one of North Carolina’s 14 westernmost counties – Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain and Transylvania, with preference given to residents of Rutherford or Buncombe.

Virginia “Gin” Hodge is a former educator in Jackson, Rutherford and Buncombe county schools who currently is chief academic officer at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, she earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 1978 at WCU and her master’s degree in education in 1981, also at WCU.

“Gin has spent her career surrounded by dedicated educators who literally pour their hearts into helping students succeed,” said Steve Hodge, senior vice president and regional corporate development officer for First Citizens Bank. “Gin spent years in the classroom with elementary school children before transitioning into an instructional coach. Now, serving as the chief academic officer at NCCAT, she sees every day just how powerful great teaching can be.”

Creating the scholarship in his wife’s honor was a way to recognize her impact and add his own appreciation for her dedication, he said.

“Gin has been a true advocate for teachers and students across our state, and her leadership has inspired so many of us to keep growing and giving back. I wanted this scholarship to reflect not just her work, but the values she represents – equity, opportunity and a deep belief in the power of education. My hope is that her scholarship will support future educators who are ready to make a difference in their own lives, classrooms and communities,” he said.

The decision to give preference to potential scholarship recipients from the WNC region was an intentional one, Hodge said.

“Western North Carolina is home for us. It’s where I grew up, where we have spent our careers and where I have seen firsthand the challenges that shape our communities. We have wonderful students in

WNC, but sometimes they don’t have the same access to resources or opportunities as students in other parts of the state,” he said.

“Giving preference to students from these 14 counties is a way to say, ‘You matter to Western North Carolina.’ I just wanted to help open doors for students who might be the first in their family to go to college or who just need that extra bit of support to take the next step,” he said.

Hodge said he hoped the scholarship assistance provided by the fund would help alleviate some of the financial burden faced by WCU students and their parents.

“Obviously this scholarship can’t make a huge difference in their lives, but it might be just enough to help them not only to get to college but also to thrive once they are there,” he said. “Every student chooses their own path when they reach Western Carolina. Many students will excel at WCU, while others might take a few years to develop into the individual they aspire to be. The scholarship is not about the money; it’s about the fact that someone thought enough about them and others like them to help them reach their potential.”

Fund namesake Gin Hodge said it is hard to put into words what it means to have a scholarship established in her honor.

“It’s incredibly humbling. I’ve spent my career trying to support students and educators, and to know that work is being honored in a way that will help future teachers is just really special,” she said.

“My biggest hope is that this scholarship makes things a little easier for a WCU student who is working hard to reach their goals. College can be tough, especially when you’re juggling finances, classes, social activities and everything else that life throws at you,” she said. “If this scholarship can take even a small weight off someone’s shoulders, then it’s done exactly what we hoped. I want our future teachers to feel encouraged, supported, important and reminded that they’re not in this alone.”

As a member of the Catamount men’s golf team during his time as a college student and as a current member of the university’s Foundation Board of Directors, Steve Hodge said he has witnessed the shape of WCU’s athletics facilities over the years.

“Being a student-athlete at WCU and part of the golf team was such a formative part of my college experience. It taught me discipline, resilience and the value of being part of something bigger than myself. Some of my best memories and most important life lessons came from playing golf and my time on that team,” he said.

“Supporting the athletics facilities renovations is just my way of giving back to the place and program that gave me so much. I know firsthand how much time student-athletes spend training, practicing and competing – and how important it is to have facilities that reflect the level of commitment they bring every day,” he said. “I want current and future Catamounts to have the resources they need to grow, succeed and create very special memories at WCU.”

The Hodge gifts come as WCU is in the midst of its “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign, an effort to raise a minimum of $100 million in philanthropic support for the university’s academic, student engagement and athletics programs. Only the third comprehensive fundraising campaign in WCU’s 136-year history, it is the first with an emphasis on seeking financial support for renovations to aging athletics facilities.

Hodge encouraged other members of the WCU family to consider getting involved with the campaign by making a contribution.

“Think about the role WCU played in your life, how it shaped you, the relationships you developed, the opportunities if gave you and, most importantly, the memories you have. For me, giving back is a way to say thank you and to help ensure that future students have the same kind of experience – or maybe even better,” he said.

“You don’t have to make a huge gift to make a real difference,” Hodge said. “Every contribution, no matter the size, helps move WCU forward. Whether you’re supporting scholarships, athletics, academics or anything else that matters to you, it’s all a part of investing in the next generation of Catamounts. And honestly, there’s something really special about being a part of that.”

In addition to his current position with First Citizens Bank, Hodge has an extensive career in the banking industry, including time as the WNC area executive for BB&T and South Carolina’s First South Bank, which was acquired by First Citizens in 2019. He also has a long history of working with High Hampton Inn and the A.W. McKee family-related companies in Cashiers.

For more information about the “Fill the Western Sky” campaign or to make a contribution, visit WesternSky.wcu.edu, call 828-227-7124 or email advancement@wcu.edu.