UC mourns the passing of former first lady Carol R. Steger
Steger worked at the UC Foundation
Carol R. Steger, former first lady of the University of Cincinnati, died on August 12, 2025 at the age of 85. Steger served as UC’s first lady from 1984 to 2003. Her husband, Joseph A. Steger, was UC’s 24th president and had the second-longest term in the university’s history. President Steger died in 2013.
Steger is survived by her daughter, Tracy McClorey, Bus ’85, CAHS ’11; son-in-law Jeff McClorey, Bus ’86; son Martin Steger, Bus ’89, daughter-in-law Rhonda Steger; grandchildren Dillan McClorey, A&S ’15, Natalie McClorey, Bus ‘16 and Zemmie Steger; and great-granddaughter Cora Brammer.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Carol Steger,” said UC President Neville G. Pinto. “For many years, she worked tirelessly alongside her late husband, President Joe Steger, to advance the mission of UC, and she dedicated countless hours to the UC Foundation in support of our students. Her warmth, generosity and commitment will be remembered always.”
Carol and Joe Steger. Photo/Provided.
As first lady, Steger shared in an interview with The News Record that the role of president and first lady is a team effort. She relished her position, supporting President Steger, serving the university and working in fundraising at the UC Foundation. While at the Foundation, she leveraged her previous investment experience and excelled at donor relations and planned giving. She developed and executed a UC Presidential Ball that raised nearly $1 million for student scholarships over a span of 16 years. Together, she and President Steger, created the Dr. Joseph A. Steger Presidential Scholarship Fund.
Make donations in her memory to the Dr. Joseph A. Steger Presidential Scholarship Fund.
Read the obituary online.
Featured image at the top: Carol and Joe Steger. Photo/UC.
Tags
- College-Conservatory of Music
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Medicine
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Allied Health Sciences
- UC Foundation
- College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies
- College of Education, Criminal Justice, & Human Services
- UC Online
- Alumni Association
- Blue Ash College
- Clermont College
- College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
- Graduate College
- President's Office
- College of Law
- College of Nursing
- Lindner College of Business
- College of Engineering and Applied Science
Related Stories
UC celebrates a century of Homecoming with a parade, pride and signature win over Texas Tech
October 28, 2026
The University of Cincinnati celebrated it's 100th Homecoming. The Cincinnati Bearcats defeated No. 8-ranked Texas Tech, 37-24, before a sell-out audience in Nippert Stadium. Photos of Homecoming activities show Bearcats Pride at its finest.
Who is using nicotine pouches?
October 28, 2026
A University of Cincinnati study found that nicotine pouch use increased sharply among U.S. adult tobacco users between 2021 and 2024. Using national YouGov survey data, researchers reported that “ever use” rose from 16.4% to 31.1%, while current use increased from 3% to 10.2%.
Helping UC medical students in times of need
October 27, 2026
Ben Stamler, MD, Med ’26, will be forever grateful to his parents, Rick Stamler, MD, Med ’85 and Betsy Rabkin, MD, Med ’85, for financially supporting him through medical school. Their generosity, he says, allowed him to graduate from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine debt-free, and removed the burden that the vast majority of his peers would have to carry forward for years to come.