The University of Montevallo wasn’t on SGA President Cody Hodge’s radar when he was a high school senior in his hometown of Bell Buckle, Tennessee.
But that changed with one letter.
“I came to the University of Montevallo because I received a letter in the mail that described the Montevallo experience,” he said. “It immediately gave me that feeling I was looking for in a school – smaller class sizes and meaningful interaction with my professors.”
“From the photos I saw, the campus was beautiful with its brick layout. UM also had the major I was looking for.”
The senior political science and environmental studies double major on a pre-law track said he was sold. And since he arrived on the bricks, not only have his expectations been met, UM has become a home away from home.
“Being here has done wonders for me and really helped develop my character,” he said. “I also like that Alabama has a lot of biodiversity. I love fossil hunting, and in the Montevallo area you can find arrowheads, plant fossils, Mosasaurus and shark teeth in creeks, which is one of my favorite weekend activities.”
He said one of his favorite experiences on campus is watching College Night performances. Energy and passion exudes from the performers, and sides of students that aren’t normally seen come out.
Hodge said being involved in the SGA has also been a rewarding experience. He considers it an honor to represent the student body and reach consensus on issues that impact their lives.
At the end of the day, he hopes to make students’ lives at least a little bit happier. He started his time in the SGA as a freshman senator in 2019.
“I didn’t make the decision to become SGA president lightly. Taking on that leadership role and being responsible for the desires of the student body is a very big responsibility. I wasn’t sure if I was up to it but having a very strong and inclusive community behind me, I knew that I was in a good situation.”
“I want everyone to know that when they come to Montevallo, it’s where they belong. They left home to come home. It’s great to go to a school where they can focus on their studies, hang out with their friends and be a part of a community where all the problems of the world aren’t weighing on us.”