Jacob Steinle, a student at Flathead Valley Community College, was honored with the Montana Athletes in Service Award Saturday.
Established by the Montana Campus Compact, the award was presented during the 121st Brawl of the Wild Cat/Griz game at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman.
As captain of the FVCC logger sports team, Steinle was an active member of the community and leader of the team during his college days. Steinle is from Creston and was home schooled until joining FVCC.
Ann Beall, the adviser to the Lumberjack Sports Team, nominated Steinle for the award. “Jacob has made a very positive impact both here on campus and in the community,” Beall said. “He understands the responsibilities of volunteering and is an excellent student athlete. Whether on campus, in the community, or with the logging sports team, he has had (and still has) a positive impact on the organizations and individuals he meets.”
Steinle is extensively involved in the area with Sparrows Nest of Northwest Montana, Orphans Life Line, Immanuel Lutheran Communities, Flathead Valley Food Bank, Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry and The HEART Locker.
“I enjoy helping feed the hungry, clothe the cold, and take care of others,” says Steinle. “I’ve often been asked to sort through clothes in the veterans’ pantry, pack and sort meals and treats for the table, and even help with landscaping for Orphan’s Life Line.”
He estimates that he volunteers around 16 to 24 hours a month.
Steinle began his education at FVCC in 2018 as a dual matriculation student with a running start, entered the college full-time as a freshman in 2019 and earned an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in natural resource conservation and management. He was inspired to consider a four-year degree by faculty members Christina Relyea and Tim Eichner, who he now considers friends. He has established his preferred transfer program at FVCC and is now completing his Associate of Science with a concentration in Forestry with the intention of transferring to the University of Montana School of Forestry.
Steinle credits his family and strong beliefs for inspiring him to help others. He explains that his faith was his most valuable investment. He shared that the faculty and support on campus had also been a big influence on his success and his desire to continue learning.
Beall sums it all up in her nomination by saying, “I’m proud to know Jacob and have him represent our team and FVCC as the winner of the Montana Athletes in Service Award.”