Staff Profile: David Hodges
Get to know the people who help lead the school in this series of interviews with UCLA Arts staff members. Want to nominate a staff member for the series? Email communications@arts.ucla.edu.
David Hodges is the help desk manager at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture. On more occasions than we can count, he has helped faculty and staff navigate all sorts of technological challenges with wisdom, grace, and humor.
After nearly 25 years at UCLA, David will be retiring on March 1, 2022. In tribute to his service and dedication to the School of the Arts and Architecture and UCLA, we asked him to share a little bit about his life and some highlights from his time here.
Where are you from? What brought you to Los Angeles?
My home town is Ferriday, Louisiana, although I was born across the Mississippi River in Natchez, Mississippi. Ferriday is the town that brought us Jerry Lee Lewis, his cousin Jimmy Swaggart, and his other cousin Mickey Gilley. But I grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from the age of six.
As far as what brought me to Los Angeles, I came out to L.A. to get out of the film industry. I had been working in film for several years after graduating from the University of Montevallo in a small sleepy southern town of the same name. But, when film work dried up I found I couldn't get a regular job. With movies like The Client, The Fugitive, Blown Away, and Batman Forever on my resume, it was hard to get a job at the local big box building supply store, or anywhere else in the Southeast.
What brought you to work at an art and architecture school?
I actually came into the School of the Arts as a clerical temp worker through a local agency. At the time I was finishing my computer technician certification, so when an opening came up here in the IT department, I transitioned from the front office to IT. Plus, with a BS in Music I thought the School of the Arts would be a good fit.
Do you have a favorite memory or epiphany moment from your time at UCLA?
One of the things that stands out in my memory is the excitement we all shared when the Broad Art Center re-opened after the extensive remodeling in 2006. Following a $23 million renovation, the Broad Art Center kind of leapt into the 21st century. It was the first time I had seen a significant investment in arts education. Something that always seemed to be lacking in the South.
What are some highlights from your time at UCLA, and what will you take with you?
During my time at UCLA I have had the opportunity to work with a number of professors who have engaged with me not only as co-workers, but often as friends. Many of these professors have educated me concerning their field of expertise, shared their experience and wisdom with me, and enlightened me about many things. As a result I have had insights, revelations, and even epiphanies once to twice. These relationships and conversations have helped shape me into the person I am. I will remember many UCLA faces, some already gone, some just beginning their career, for the rest of my life.
What's something that's totally changed since you began working at UCLA?
When I first started we didn't have the remote support software systems or the communication options (cell text, Zoom, Slack, etc.) that we have today. So in my early years I had to physically go to each service request, fix that problem, and head across campus to the next problem. I averaged 7 – 9 miles of walking, with a few days reaching 11 miles. In contrast, two years ago, I successfully worked from out of state for three months during the pandemic. What a difference!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I have an extensive collection of computer games through GOG.com and Steam. Those fill a lot of evening hours. On weekends I recently started a project to draw out wildlife in West L.A. Our building has a small front yard and we are in the front unit, so I have set up a couple of hummingbird feeders that are visited daily by a few hummingbirds, as well as setting up a bird bath, two songbird feeding stations, and a squirrel feeding tray. If we open our patio doors, our cats can watch all the animals from the “catio.” Our mornings are welcomed by tons of singing birds in our “front yard.” Coming from Louisiana, I really enjoy watching the wildlife we've attracted (birds, squirrels, raccoons, and opossums… so far) and my wife loves it. Good enough reason for me.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I was a private investigator in my younger days. Once, a subject I was tailing spotted me in the morning rush hour traffic in New Orleans, and we had a fun, old time, car chase up and down and across Veterans Blvd. That was pretty crazy.
What's your favorite place to visit in Los Angeles? Or on campus?
I'll just say that Venice and the Venice Boardwalk is a fascinating, dynamic, beautiful, crazy place. What's not to love? I hated to see it essentially deserted in 2020 because of the Covid pandemic. On campus I really enjoy the beauty and serenity of the Sculpture Garden just down the walk from Broad Art Center.
Do you have a favorite artist or work of art?
As a music major with a concentration in vocal performance, and growing up listening to the Beatles, Paul McCartney has pretty much written the soundtrack to my life. He has always been my favorite artist.
What are you looking forward to about retirement?
I'm planning to take up fishing again, though coming from Louisiana by way of Alabama, I've always been a fresh water bass fisherman. Do they have those out here? I'm also hoping my wife and I will be able to travel more. We would like to travel internationally, so we hope the pandemic doesn’t linger on and prevent that.
Story by Avishay Artsy
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