College of Arts and Sciences

Giving Back Gold

Dr. Roger Steininger (B.S.’64, Geology) has always had a passion for gold. Even beyond his years as a Bronco, he was making new gold discoveries frequently in his career as a geologist. His many achievements in unearthing mineral deposits started with a solid geological foundation from Professor Emeritus Lloyd Schmaltz and others in the WMU Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.

LuAnne and Roger Steininger — Roger and his wife LuAnne.

Because of Schmaltz’s influence and his own great experiences at WMU, Roger and wife LuAnne established a scholarship for a junior or senior who is passionate about geology and wants to pursue a career in the industry. The Steiningers committed a $125,000 endowment that will allow the University to award a $5,000 annual scholarship in perpetuity.

“Thanks to this gift, many deserving students will be given exceptional educational and research opportunities with faculty in our department,” says Dr. Mohamed Sultan, chair and professor of geological and environmental sciences. “Additionally, the scholarship will help Dr. Schmaltz’s outstanding teaching legacy continue for years to come. The department and University are very grateful to the Steiningers for their longtime support – they are a tremendous asset to our program and students.”

Roger, who is now a consulting geologist, started his career in 1967 with the Climax Molybdenum Co. in Colorado and after 15 years took a position as western US exploration manager for BP Minerals’ Amselco division in Reno, Nev. In 1987 he formed Steininger Consulting and advised many mining and exploration companies. In 2009, he became a founding partner of NuLegacy Gold Corporation. Roger retired recently from NuLegacy after discovering the Iceberg gold deposit in Nevada.

During his career Roger has been involved in several mineral deposit discoveries, including the 20+ million-ounce Pipeline gold deposit in Nevada. He has served on the boards of several publicly traded companies and non-profit organizations, and currently is a member of NuLegacy Gold’s board of directors.

(Left to right) Jerry Aiken, Roger Steininger, Marilyn Schmaltz, Lloyd Schmaltz, Carolyn Bohlander, John Yellich, and Tom Kamin. — (Left to right) Jerry Aiken, Roger Steininger, Marilyn Schmaltz, Lloyd Schmaltz, Carolyn Bohlander, John Yellich, Tom Kamin at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Schmaltz Museum.

"As I look back on my career, the one aspect that is the foundation for any success I have achieved is the fundamental geological education I received at Western," reflects Steininger. "I attribute this to the teaching and leadership of Dr. Lloyd Schmaltz. He pointed me in the right direction, and gave me a good shove when I needed it. By establishing this scholarship, it is an opportunity to say thank you to Lloyd and hopefully help launch other geological careers."

In addition to his career accomplishments, Roger is a member of several professional organizations. He is a senior fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists, a certified professional geologist of the American Institute of Professional Geologists and a member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. He is also the recipient of the 2016 Honored Alumnus Award from the Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University.

In 2018, Roger received the College of Arts and Sciences’ Alumni Achievement Award from the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences.