Four months after graduating from the ΒιΆΉΣ³», Nicole (Nutting) Steilman ’98 (B.S. in secondary education with an emphasis in mathematics) pledged her first gift to the University. It was for $10. She’s remained a devoted supporter ever since, making gifts each year for the past 25 years.
Steilman was born and raised in Elko, ΒιΆΉΣ³» — the same town where the ΒιΆΉΣ³» first opened its doors in 1874. Growing up in a family with deep ties to the Silver State (she’s at least a fifth-generation ΒιΆΉΣ³»n on her mother’s side), Steilman developed a profound connection to her hometown and her family’s long history of working in education. Her mother taught elementary school, and her father’s career began in education. Her grandparents and uncles were teachers and administrators, with one uncle rising to the rank of superintendent.
Throughout high school, Steilman’s passion was math. She was among the first class of students to take pre-calculus and calculus at Elko High School, and she came to the University with plans to become an engineer. She soon switched majors to follow in the “family business” and become a math teacher.
Steilman has fond memories of her time at the University. “I remember eating in the cafeteria in the Jot Travis Student Union, sitting by the windows overlooking Manzanita Lake, and watching the ducks and geese. The University has a beautiful Quad area, and I enjoyed a lot of outdoor, quiet study sessions, just enjoying the park-like atmosphere.”
Following college graduation in December 1998, Steilman returned home to Elko, where she has taught math at Elko High School since 1999 — the same year she married Lance Steilman. They recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, a milestone that coincides with Steilman’s 25 years of teaching. Their family includes two college age sons, Gage and Trapper, as well as two rabbits, one dog and one cat.
“Teaching at the same school I graduated from brings me a sense of comfort and familiarity, along with feelings of nostalgia and fond memories,” Steilman said. “In my first ten years of teaching, I taught beside many teachers who taught while I was a student. It was fun and eye-opening to learn their ‘behind the scenes’ personalities.”
The University provided Steilman with the foundation to pursue her passion for teaching and make a difference in the lives of her students. Her decision to give back is driven by a desire to support future generations.
“It means a lot to me that I graduated from the ΒιΆΉΣ³», and my husband is a first-generation college graduate,” Steilman said. “We are both very proud homegrown folks who appreciate and want to help other homegrown kids receive an education and ensure our alma maters remain strong and competitive in the degrees and the opportunities they offer.
“It’s like buying local to help the local economy. We support the University to ensure local kids can complete quality programs and earn accredited degrees from a local university.”
Giving back to the ΒιΆΉΣ³» is Steilman’s way of honoring the past and investing in the future, ensuring that the University continues to be a place of knowledge and inspiration for generations to come. Through her 25 years of teaching and giving back to the University, Stilman embodies The Wolf Pack Way.
