By Maria Geis

It wasn’t always in Dr. Frank Hodnett’s plan to move to Wyoming, but teaching at Casper College was an opportunity waiting to be taken. 

With a PhD in curriculum and instruction, Hodnett has been teaching kids and young adults since 1988 starting with 4-H as an extension agent in Roosevelt County. His focus as a leader was around traditional agriculture programs as well as shooting sports. In 2004, Hodnett was appointed 4-H department head where he stayed until 2012. 

Transitioning to the academic side he became a professor at New Mexico State University (NMSU) and was the department head for AXED, their agricultural education program. Ten years later, Hodnett decided he was ready to retire from NMSU, however he still wanted to work with young people. “I was always told that you would know when you needed to retire, and so I knew that I needed to retire. I knew I was done at New Mexico State, but I wasn’t done working with young people,” Hodnett said.

A former colleague of his from New Mexico State, Jerry Hawkes, had moved to Casper and was the Casper College dean for the School of Science. Hodnett texted Hawkes saying that if he ever had a job for someone like him, to let him know. Soon enough Hawkes reached out to him about a position.

Hodnett’s wife found a job opening at the Tate Geological Museum online so they both applied for the jobs. After a trip to Casper for interviews he and his wife were both offered the jobs and with a quick turnaround they made the move to Wyoming. “I was retired for a whole month before I started here at Casper College,” Hodnett remarked.

Now at Casper College, Dr. Hodnett, commonly referred to as Doc, teaches a variety of classes in the agricultural department. From ag issues to animal production, Hodnett teaches as well as manages others such as the AI (artificial insemination) and hoof trimming classes. 

Doc is full of jokes and wise advice and brings cheer to the environment around him. Madi Keir, a student in the ag department says, “Doc’s a very outgoing, funny person and is very kind and always there when you need help with anything or want to learn something.” Many other students enjoy having Doc as an instructor as well because of his personality and helpfulness. 

One of the classes that he implemented at CC is the freshman experience class that helps students get acquainted with school. It was a class he had taught at NMSU and it’s a great way for freshmen to learn about the campus, learn how to apply for jobs and scholarships, and give them a low pressure class where they have fun learning. 

A tradition that Hawkes and Hodnett brought to CC from New Mexico is the branding ceremony. The ceremony takes place during the beginning of the year, but after the Freshman Experience class has gone over some things about Casper College. School of science students can participate in the ceremony and receive a paint brand ,on a CC t-shirt they’re given, on the right shoulder. The purpose of it is to show that students have been taught about the college, and to give a sense of belonging and family. Explaining the branding ceremony Hodnett says, “You know, what we try to do with that is make them feel like they are a part of our department here at Casper College.”  

Now Hodnett is the new academic chair for the department. Something he and the rest of the department have started that will be new is an associate of applied science in general agriculture. Hodnett has more plans that he is working on to be implemented in the future. 

Working with youth and teaching has never been a job for Hodnett. To him it feels like it is what he was called to do or supposed to be. A story he heard when he was younger had a saying that’s stuck with him and that is “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” That is something he’s lived by his whole career.

“I love ag and I want to learn more and I’m always learning everyday. I really like working with kids so I get to do two of the things I really enjoy most, and I get to keep doing it. I’m around some of the coolest people in the world,” said Hodnett