Dr. Steven Hodes - DVM 1979

2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award

Dr. Steve Hodes

Dr. Steven Bruce Hodes has been selected by the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Alumni Association for the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award. This award recognizes his outstanding achievements, humanitarian service, and contributions to the veterinary profession. This award was presented June 2 during the college’s Alumni Reunion Weekend.

Dr. Hodes was born in White Plains, New York. He attended Ohio University and earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology in 1973. He briefly attended Ohio State University before coming to Kansas State University in 1975 to attend veterinary school. Soon after graduating from K-State in 1979, he established the Hodes Veterinary Group and Mobile Veterinary Service in Mine Hill, New Jersey, which grew into a practice with eight veterinarians serving both large and small animals. Dr. Hodes retired in 2017 and sold his practice to an associate veterinarian, Dr. Kris Conway.

Dr. Hodes and his wife, Colleen, then moved to Andover, Kansas. Their son, Dr. Brian Hodes and his wife, Dr. Jessica Hodes (both 2011 K-State graduates), own and operate the Hodes Veterinary Health Center nearby in Rose Hill. Although retired, Dr. Hodes consults and assists regularly at the Hodes Veterinary Health Center.

“You realize how incredibly significant you can become to families as their veterinarian as two families took Colleen and I as their guests to Disney World back in 1982,” Dr. Hodes said. “Then several families named animals ‘Hodie.’ It continues to be an incredible career.”

“Dr. Hodes been an outstanding practitioner and a tremendous role-model for young veterinarians and future veterinarians,” said Dr. Bonnie Rush, Hodes Family Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Though retired, he continues to promote excellence in animal health and wellness at his son and daughter-in-law’s practice. We are grateful for his unwavering support of the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine to strengthen business education and are thrilled to recognize him as this year’s distinguished alumnus.”

While living in New Jersey, Dr. Hodes served on the local school board and the Rockaway Environmental Commission. He served the Morris County Sheriff’s K-9 unit 35 years and the Morris County Park Police Mounted units‘ horses for over 30 years. Later, Dr. Hodes was appointed by the state of New Jersey to be the veterinary service provider for a state-operated pig farm and the black bear and wildlife management program.

Dr. Hodes is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association. He was a member of Society Phi Zeta and Phi Kappa Phi in 1979. Dr. Hodes received the Veterinary Recognition Award from Seeing Eye in 2004. He received an Alumni Recognition Award from K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005 at NAVC Orlando.

Colleen Hodes earned her physical education degree from K-State in 1978. They both serve on the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees.

The Hodeses have two other children. Their daughter Alexa Hodes Hewitt attended K-State and graduated with her degree in journalism and mass communications in 2010. Alexa’s husband, Matthew Hewitt, graduated from K-State in 2009 with degrees in accounting and finance. Their son, Tim Hodes, studied business at the University of Michigan, and his wife Kari Friedlander Hodes went to Indiana University.