Speakers

The questioning of election integrity is a nationwide narrative and a real threat to the strength of, and trust in, our democracy. The battle for truth will be ongoing and we all have our part. The Wyoming Secretary of State, Edward Buchanan, and all 23 Wyoming County Clerks are your first points of contact for true and accurate election information. If you read something that makes you question the integrity of Wyoming's elections, chances are it's a product of misinformation. Be vigilant and understand that misinformation spreads like wildfire, but together we can snuff out the flames and actively participate in elections with confidence.

John Carroll Clay

CHEYENNE - John Carroll Clay, 98, of Cheyenne, Wyoming passed away in Cheyenne on Saturday, August 7, 2021.

John was born May 19, 1923 in Canton, Missouri, a son of the late Carroll and Wana (Schrader) Clay.

His passion for helping others evolved from pivotal points in his life, from growing up poor on the family ranch west of Laramie during the Great Depression, to later flying a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane in Europe during World War II.

As a high school senior, John left the ranch and began a part-time bank job earning $65 per month. He attended the University of Wyoming but his studies were interrupted by the war and he enlisted in the United Sates Army Air Forces. Stationed outside Sacramento, California, he met his future wife, Esther. Shortly after marriage, he left for Europe and arrived just days after the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. In 11 months of combat, he flew his fighter bomber on 68 missions included navigating a jagged frontline to fight the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge. At war's end, he returned home to his new bride and the couple moved to Laramie so John could finish school with a G.I. Bill grant.

His plans changed and accepted an opportunity to work with Wyoming Farm Bureau selling automotive and fire insurance from 1948 to 1960. In 1960, the couple moved to Cheyenne and John accepted a position with Bosworth Sullivan. Through five different decades and several name changes, John finished his career as president and financial consultant with RBC Wealth Management, all the while becoming a philanthropic force with his wife.

John and Esther were instrumental in establishing Laramie County Community College, and they were very involved with the University of Wyoming Foundation. He volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce, Episcopal Diocese Investment Committee, Rotary, United Way and Laramie County Community College Foundation. He served as a board member and chairman of the National Association of Securities Dealers and was a member of the University of Wyoming Foundation Board for 14 years, serving as chairman. In 2004, John received an honorary doctorate from the University of Wyoming.

John placed an importance on helping others achieve their goals while pursuing his own. With this in mind, he and his wife established many scholarships at the Laramie County Community College.

Wyoming has long been the leader in the Congressional Award program in terms of creating and maintaining a program that not only serves Wyoming's youth but also promotes growth in character, leadership, and commitment. Wyoming's own late Senator Malcolm Wallop was the driving force between the bipartisan effort in both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives to establish the Congressional Award Act in 1979 to "recognize initiative, service, and achievement in young people." Sarah Compton, the Executive Director of the Wyoming Congressional Award Council will share with us the value the Congressional Award Program offers still today, how every youth in Wyoming can impact their community and how Rotary can support them. Sarah will also share why Wyoming is unique when it comes to the Congressional Award.  

David Willms works for the National Wildlife Federation, and leads its public lands portfolio across the country. David will explain some of the history of public lands in the United States that led to a "corner crossing" dispute in Carbon County that's garnering national attention. He will also explain some of the legal issues that are at the center of this dispute, and how that may or may not impact public land access in the West.

Dr. Schaffer is the President of Laramie County Community College (also known as L-Triple C), Wyoming’s largest community college.  LCCC is an aggressively innovative and comprehensive college with a main campus located in the state capital of Cheyenne, a branch campus in Laramie and outreach sites located across Southeastern Wyoming.   Since Dr. Schaffer’s arrival at LCCC, the College has completed more than $75 million in facilities improvements, celebrated two record-setting graduating classes, and has seen the award of degrees and credentials to students increase by more than 38 percent.