WorldWide Drilling Resource

10 AUGUST 2015 At the Best in the West Drill and Blast Conference this year, the crowd was moved to their feet after a heart- felt speech given by Jay Schafler upon receiving a generous scholarship from the Black Hills Chapter of the International Society of Explosive Engineers. We wanted to share his speech with you because it is a great reminder of why generosity matters. Jay Schafler’s Speech: As some of you may remember, but hopefully not everyone, I stood here on this very stage last year like a deer in the headlights, and could not put together an intel- ligent, coherent statement upon receiving a very generous contribution to my edu- cation. This is partly due to being surprised by being asked to speak in front of such a large group of relative strangers, and partly due to being overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of that same group of people I am now fortunate enough to call colleagues and friends. This year however, I came pre- pared to say more than just a blanket “thank you to everyone”. This year I plan to make up for last year, with a very lengthy speech ...just kidding. First, I want to thank Mr. John Black, or Blackie, as many of us know him. His kindness, generosity, and selfless spirit of giving have left its mark on me, and inspired me to give more of myself to my family, friends, fellow students, colleagues, and most importantly to complete strangers. This is an invaluable and lifelong gift that I will do my best to demonstrate and pass on to others. I would also like to thank the people who so graciously donated to fund the Missouri [School of Science and Technology] students’ trip to attend this conference: Phil Porter, Paul Sterk, Bill Obermeier, Ray Moots, Neal Rothenbuhler, Dr. Jason Baird, Bob Engstrom, and Randy Wheeler! Without these donations, attending this conference would not be feasible. The Best in the West Drill and Blast Conference continues to be a great opportunity for students to meet and get to know industry professionals, learn about the variety of products available, and also learn about current trends, obstacles, projects, and research being done in the blasting industry. These things cannot be taught or learned in a classroom or behind a desk. Being able to attend the Best in the West Conference pays tremendous dividends to us students that cannot be measured. Finally, I would like to thank the conference committee for holding the scholarship benefit auction, all those who donate auction items, and those that quite honestly pay way more than they probably should for the auction items; all to help fund the scholarship program. For me per- sonally, my return to school for a bet- ter education and a better future for myself and my family would be impos- sible if it weren’t for such scholarships. It is an honorable and admirable thing to help students who would otherwise not be able to afford an education, and to help support and nourish the future of the blasting industry. From the bottom of my heart and with immense gratitude....Thank you all!! ~Jay Schafler Thanks to Jay for sharing his words, and to the generous associa- tions who do so much for our industry and the next generation! Jay Schafler, Missouri University of Science and Technology - Mining Engineering Senior, and John Black at the 2014 Best in the West Conference. Thank You A WWDR Special Feature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orldWide Drilling Resource ®