Video expertise, teaching makes SMAD professor a Game Changer

Longtime School of Media Arts and Design technology director and instructor John Hodges (’78) was recognized as a “Game Changer” Thursday during the third quarter of the nationally televised JMU football game with Coastal Carolina for his outstanding work benefiting the university and the JMU Athletics Department.  

Hodges will retire in the spring after more than 25 years at JMU. He was joined in an on-field ceremony by Traci Zimmerman, interim dean of the College of Arts and Letters, Bob Kolvoord, provost, and Matt Roan, athletic director.

In her nomination, Zimmerman wrote that Hodges “has not only patiently and expertly helped train media students, but he has lent his video expertise to some of JMU’s signature programs like the Furious Flower Poetry Center and the live production of JMU Athletics’ games.” 

JMU Athletics plans to recognize Game Changer honorees from each of the university’s eight colleges at home football games throughout the season. Doreen Liccione (’92), an academic adviser in the College of Business, was the first JMU employee recognized as a “Game Changer” during the Sept. 7 football game. Professors Monica Smith-Woofter, College of Education, and Jamie Frye, College of Health and Behavioral Studies, were recognized at the Sept. 28 game.  

Game Changers will also be recognized at games on the following dates:   

    Oct. 26: College of Visual and Performing Arts    

    Nov. 9: College of Integrated Sciences and Engineering and College of Science and Mathematics    

    Nov. 30: Honors College