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Clay Rohrbach ’66 honors his grandparents and shapes future generations. Almost 20 years ago, Clay created the The Rohrbach Scholarship, honoring his grandparents, all of whom were residents of Corning, NY.  His generosity benefits a student from Corning or the nearby Painted Post, NY, cities.  His decision has given Clay “great satisfaction,” he says.  “First, I am helping a deserving student pay for college beginning their freshman year and following them all the way to graduation. They send me annual thank you letters and the personal involvement is rewarding. Second, it is a great way to honor the memory of my grandparents and their lifelong involvement with the city of Corning.”

Clay was born in Corning, but moved to Rochester as a child. After graduating from St. Lawrence, he began a career in corporate finance and investment banking that included positions at General Electric, Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse First Boston and, since 201, his own firm Clapboard Ridge, LLC.  Even with his international experience, Clay cherishes memories of  visits to Corning, and the role city played in shaping his grandparents’ and parents’ lives. When he decided it was time to “do something meaningful for St. Lawrence,” he says that connecting his past with the college’s future was the right solution.

Now a member of the college’s National Major Gifts Committee, Clay credits President Sullivan with “a fantastic job in building and improving St. Lawrence and I want to support his efforts to make St. Lawrence an even better place.”  He hopes he can help others to share his “belief that the institution is on the right course and that [their] gift will be used wisely… . ”