Nelnet Puts Maryland Center Stage

Looking to further its university ties, education services firm Nelnet ventured into the movie business this year and helped make Maryland a star.

A national leader in education financing, college planning and software solutions, Nelnet contributed $50,000 to finance the making of “Keeping the Promise: The Rise of the University of Maryland,” the university’s 150th Anniversary documentary.

“We very much wanted to continue and enhance our relationship with the university,” says David A. Bottegal, CEO of Nelnet’s Education Services division. “This was an historic opportunity to do that.”

Nelnet's Eric Solomon, media relations manager, and CEO David Bottegal, right, celebrated Charter Day, which marked the debut of the documentary film their firm sponsored.

Nelnet’s generous support stretches back at least three years, to the creation of an affinity partnership with the alumni association that gives Maryland graduates access to special loan consolidation services. Nelnet and its subsidiaries have also served as sponsors for Maryland Day, the university’s annual open house.

When a conversation about this year’s Maryland Day events turned to the anniversary-related theme and the movie, the company decided to support Maryland’s venture into the spotlight. Nelnet’s generous contribution covered production costs for about six months of filming and editing.

“We really appreciate Nelnet’s support on this project,” says Deborah Wiltrout, director of university marketing. “It was a major undertaking, but knowing that you have financial support from a sponsor makes everything a bit easier.”

Providing student loan origination, lending and consolidation, Nelnet has offices in Washington, D.C., and 18 other cities across North America. Executives headed to Maryland to help promote the DVD on Maryland Public Television, and they celebrated the university’s birthday with visits to campus on Charter Day and Maryland Day—where Nelnet was a major sponsor.

Bottegal, a longtime Terp fan, says joining forces with a university on the rise is simply smart business.

“We are just building our presence in this area of the country, and it gives us a chance to connect locally and leave people with at least a big picture impression of the services we offer,” Bottegal says. “It’s been a great partnership.” —KM

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