Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks faculty Q&A with Joni Hodapp

Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks faculty Q&A with Joni Hodapp

Hodapp (third from left) has been a member of the Lake campus faculty for nearly 12 years. She is pictured with fellow faculty members Lori and Lyle Sybert and Gary Carrender.

Joni Hodapp is one of Columbia College–Lake of the Ozark’s top English composition instructors, but she is also an expert in Italian — Italian food, that is. Members of her family are part owners of The Rome Italian restaurant in Columbia, Mo. The proud grandmother of five enters her 12^th year as an instructor at Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks this fall. Read more about the Shakespeare fan in the latest faculty/staff Q&A series:

 Name: Joni Hodapp

Alma Mater, Date of Graduation: Truman University, BS in English Education and Business, 1970

MA in English from Truman University in 1971 and 30 plus graduate hours from SE, SW and Lincoln universities and two graduate sessions at Harvard University

Family members:  Husband, Roger; son, Cory and wife, Sarah with three kids, Sailor (10), Rocco (2) and Vince (2 months);  daughter, Katy and husband, Brooks with two boys, Teague (8) and Brett (6) plus one spoiled wire-haired dachshund, Odie (10)

Years at Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks: The 12^th year will begin with the August Session

Hobbies: Part owner of The Rome Restaurant in Columbia, Mo.

Favorite Movie and/or TV Show: Castle or Bones

Favorite kind of music/favorite artist/song: I love most any music

Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite Food: Anything my son prepares or my husband grills

Favorite subject in college: Shakespeare

When I was 10 years old, I wanted to be a professional tourist

What is the best part about working at Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks? The students

What moment in your life are you the proudest of?  Any moment that I can help someone achieve a goal.

Best excuse you have heard from a student who was late with their work?

I have to go on a night op mission (Iraq) but will have my essay as soon as I am cleared back.

What piece of advice would you impart to a student prior to graduation? Enjoy the moments of “Aha” learning with other students.

Talk about your journey and what lead you to Columbia College–Lake of the Ozarks:  I came from a long line of talkers — teachers, farmers and bankers. I loved young people more than cows and loans so I began teaching in 1970 as a graduate assistant at Truman University and have taught continuously since from 7^th to graduate level including three years as a school librarian. After I retired from 30 years of public school and St. Charles County Community College in 2000, we moved to the Lake, and I began teaching here and enjoying grandchildren.