Hosley Family Scholarship

The Hosley Family Scholarship was established in 2000 to honor the family of Dr. Charles T. Hosley. Dr. Charles T. Hosley became Dean of Instruction at Solano Community College in 1966, and continued as an administrator at the college until he retired. His wife, Virginia P. Hosley, took courses at the college as a life long learner, and especially enjoyed Asian studies courses taught by Jerry Korte. Upon his retirement, Dr. Hosley also took courses, including photography. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hosley graduated from San Jose State in music, and Charles used the G.I. Bill to earn an Ed.D. from Stanford University. Prior to working at Solano, he was the first president of Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo.

All four of the Hosley children, Charlotte, David, Jim, and Paul, attended Solano Community College and subsequently transferred to four year institutions, having benefitted from Solano’s outstanding faculty.

Their daughter, Charlotte Backstedt, attended Solano in 1966 and never lost sight of her education while attending a number of other colleges, working, and raising six children. She graduated from San Diego State University in 1999 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She works as an infant and toddler specialist at SDSU’s childcare center.

David H. Hosley left Vallejo High School early and attended Solano for three terms in 1968 and 1969. He worked full time at KVO, Napa, while attending Solano and was also president of the college?s honor society, Alpha Gamma Sigma. After graduating from Stanford with a co-terminal MA in communications, David earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University in sociology while also playing on the college rugby team. He had a career in broadcast journalism for over 35 years, including serving as president and general manager of public television station KVIE in Sacramento. He also taught courses at Stanford, University of Florida, and Florida International University.

Jim Hosley attended Solano for two years in the early 70?s before transferring to Sacramento State (now CSUS), where he graduated with a degree in business. He was an outstanding golfer at Solano and is a member of the Solano Community College Sports Hall of Fame. He was all-conference at Sacramento State and continued with golf as a vocation after college. He was the head professional at Baywood Golf and Country Club in Arcata, California and also coached boys and girls golf teams at Arcata High School. His wife Mary also attended Solano and transferred to Sacramento State where she majored in physical education. She earned her MA from Humboldt State and became a physical education instructor at a junior high school in Crescent City and coach of the Crescent City High School golf team.

Paul Hosley attended Solano in the late 70?s and also played golf there. He transferred to UC Davis to play on their golf team and worked at KDVS-FM. He graduated with a BA in rhetoric, and has been a successful broadcast journalist and manager for almost two decades. He is associate news director of KCBS-AM, San Francisco.

This scholarship was established to recognize the role the Solano Community College played in the Hosley family’s education. For the Hosley children, it led to successful experiences at four year institutions and to their future lives. They hope this scholarship will allow others to follow a path similar to their own.