Alumni Award

Whether they’re guiding neighborhoods or nations, good leaders can bring people together to work toward common goals. Through her work, Nancy King Hobert ’59 has led efforts to improve the education, health, and finances of her community.

At Grinnell, Hobert had a full slate of activities outside of her sociology and elementary education majors. She participated in women’s government and YWCA, among her many activities.

Shortly after moving to Martinez, California, Hobert became actively involved in her school board. She was influential in a successful effort to pass a $25 million school bond to renovate the city’s schools in 1987. She spearheaded another winning effort eight years later to complete the renovations.

In the early 1980s, Hobert saw a need to return to community-based banking. With the help of others, she raised the necessary capital and became a founding member of John Muir National Bank. The institution became a major financial hub in the community, providing loans and financing to many community-based groups and businesses.

In 2000, Hobert became a founding member of the Contra Costa Regional Health Center Foundation. The organization is committed to helping the center deliver high-quality care to all county residents, regardless of their ability to pay.

For her commitment to building a stronger, healthier community, Grinnell is pleased to recognize Nancy King Hobert ’59.