Steven W. and Elaine Nance gave a $25,000 gift to the Texas A&M Foundation, which was founded in 1953 to match donors and their interests with the university's priorities.  Their gift established the Michael '08 and Kristen '05 Nance Fish Camp Scholarship Endowment for students of Texas A&M University.

The gift will be used to provide registration fees for up to eight freshman Fish Camp participants at Texas A&M each year.The recipients will be selected based on financial need, and when practical, preference will be given to individuals who are first-generation college students. Speaking about what Fish Camp means to them, the couple said,"Through the involvement of our children we have come to understand the importance of Fish Camp and how this program helps incoming freshman make the transition to this great university."

Mr. Nance, of The Woodlands, graduated from Texas Tech University in 1978 with a bachelor of science in petroleum engineering.  He has been involved with a number of professional organizations including being an Emeritus Member of the Dean's Council for the College of Engineering at Texas Tech; a member of the Petroleum Industry Advisory Board at Texas Tech; a member of the Board of Trustees of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (Southeast District); and the on the Business Advisory Board of Cypress-Woodlands Junior Forum.  He has also been an active member of the community; serving on the Board of Directors for The Center for the Performing Arts at The Woodlands. 

Elaine Nance graduated from Texas Tech University in 1978 with a bachelor of science in education. She is a member of the Cypress Woodlands Junior Forum, co-chair of their Book Smart Program and serves on the board of directors.

They have given this gift in honor of their children, Kristen '05 and Michael '08 Nance.  Kristen graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor of arts in speech communication and minor in business.  She was very involved during her time in Aggieland, serving as the Director of Maggies and as a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.  She also served as a counselor, co-chair and director of Fish Camp, specifically Camp Van Alstyne. Camp Van Alstyne, one of the 36 individual camps in 2007,  was named after the Corps Commandant, LTG John Van Alstyne.

Michael will graduate in 2008 with a bachelor of science in petroleum engineering.  He has been involved in the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Aggie Fish Club and Ol' Ags Society.  Like his sister, Michael also served as a counselor, co-chair, and director of Fish Camp, but Michael served with Camp Davis. Camp Davis was named after Dr. Ed Davis, president of the Texas A&M Foundation and interim president of the university in 2007.