Pomona College Trustee Emeritus Terrance G. Hodel ’64 P’99 left a $1 million gift to bolster a scholarship fund for students facing financial barriers.
Hodel reconnected with Tamara Achauer ’64 during their 45th class reunion in 2009.
Hodel's daughter Casey followed in her father's footsteps, graduating from Pomona College in 1999.
Pomona College Trustee Emeritus Terrance G. Hodel ’64 P’99 was a model team player throughout his life, dedicated to creating opportunities where everyone could succeed and thrive.
Today, Hodel’s legacy endures through his generous $1 million estate gift to bolster a scholarship fund in his name for Pomona College students facing financial barriers.
Hodel, who passed away on Feb. 27, 2024, valued Pomona’s commitment to providing an outstanding education to students with exceptional promise, regardless of their financial circumstances. It's a challenge Hodel knew all too well because financial aid made it possible for him to attend college all four years. Inspired by his own experience, he established a scholarship fund in 1998, granting low-income students the opportunity to receive a Pomona education.
“Terry’s partnership with the College will remain ever-present in our community, as his generosity will provide support for generations of Sagehens to come,” says Pomona College Acting President Robert R. Gaines. “We are deeply honored to receive Terry’s gift and grateful to be a part of his story.”
Pomona is among 1% of colleges nationwide that practice need-blind admissions and meet the full demonstrated financial need, without loans, of every student. Annually, $34 million of financial aid for Pomona students is provided from support through the power of philanthropy, with 56% of the student body receiving need-based aid. Gifts from alumni, families and friends are crucial to uphold the College’s commitment to admit the most talented students, regardless of need, and ensure a rich educational experience for every Sagehen student.
A mathematics major at Pomona, Hodel was a proud member of the Kappa Delta fraternity and played football and rugby for the Sagehens. “He never was one for the spotlight. He truly loved being a part of a team, and he carried that mentality throughout his life,” says Hodel’s daughter Casey, who followed in her father’s footsteps, graduating from Pomona in 1999.
After graduation, Hodel attended Stanford Graduate School of Business where he earned his MBA. In lockstep with his spirit of service, he later enlisted as an officer in the U.S. Army and served in the Adjutant General’s Corps during the Vietnam War.
When he returned from Vietnam, Hodel landed a position at Sutro Investments working in the mailroom. He worked his way up the ladder, eventually becoming vice president. He was then hired as president and chief operating officer of Wells Fargo Mortgage Company, which later became North American Mortgage Company.
While Hodel enjoyed enormous success in his professional career, “his kindness and integrity were what he was truly known for,” says his wife, Tamara Achauer ’64. When it came time for his retirement, Tamara says, “his employees spoke to the example Terry set and how they wanted to follow in his footsteps — that was the true exemplar of the man he was.”
Hodel’s commitment to leading by example extended beyond his professional life and into his volunteer work with Pomona College. Hodel joined the Pomona College Board of Trustees in 2000, serving on almost every committee and task force, including advancement, finance, trusteeship, facilities, a fundraising campaign and presidential searches. He also held several committee chair roles during his 16 years on the board. Hodel’s focus was improving educational access and expanding the socioeconomic diversity of Pomona’s student enrollment.
“My dad truly loved collaborating with the College and helping ensure it remained a place of equity and access,” says Casey Hodel.
His engagement as a trustee of the College and other volunteer work brought Hodel back to his beloved campus often, allowing him to stay connected to the place that helped shaped much of his life. During his 45th reunion in 2009, he had the chance to reconnect with former classmate Tamara Achauer ’64. That reunion sparked a lasting bond, leading to their marriage and a partnership that would endure 15 years.
Hodel’s service to the College reached many corners of the campus community. He was a steadfast donor to the Annual Fund and was a key supporter in the groundbreaking of several signature buildings on campus, including the Sontag Greek Theatre, Smith Campus Center, and, most recently, the Center for Athletics, Recreation and Wellness.
“Terry genuinely believed in Pomona College and its mission, and he was committed to ensuring young people have access to the opportunities from which he benefited,” Achauer says. “This gift truly was the legacy he wanted to leave behind.”
What will your Pomona legacy be? Visit our website or email our dedicated legacy gift team to learn more.