Casper College graduate Dayton Stone is one of 100 to be named a Voyager Scholarship recipient. Stone is part of the fifth cohort of the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service Recipients, a prestigious honor recognizing young leaders committed to public service.
Voyager Scholarship Honors Casper College Graduate
Stone, who earned an Associate of Arts degree in Spanish in 2026, is continuing the journey that began right here in Casper, building on a foundation that prepared him to compete and lead at the highest levels at the University of Wyoming. He is the first Voyager from Wyoming in the group of 100 who come from 39 states and territories and 68 colleges and universities.
The Voyager Scholarship was created by President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, to identify and develop the next generation of public service leaders. The two-year program provides recipients with financial aid, an immersive international work-travel experience, and access to a powerful network of mentors and leaders, all designed to equip young people with the tools they need to make meaningful change.
The Voyager Scholarship selects students entering their third year of undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. who have demonstrated financial need and are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, permanent residents, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program recipients. In addition, selected Voyagers must demonstrate a passion for helping others, a commitment to community, and an expansive vision of public service. “Dayton’s selection reflects exactly the kind of student-centered, community-focused values that Casper College works to cultivate every day,” said Brandon Kosine, president.
Commitment to Public Service and Community Impact
“Dayton connected with so many students and staff during his time here, and witnessing his curiosity, kindness, intentionality, leadership, and compassion reminds me of why I love my job,” said Devin Fulton, student life coordinator at Casper College. “Serving as an assistant for the student life office, Dayton’s empathy was a catalyst for uplifting students’ spirits during November 2025, when the Casper College Student Food Pantry saw record numbers for weekly visits by students who dealt with food insecurity and uncertainty in their budget. Dayton’s leadership and compassion are always on display, which this world needs more of. Dayton instantly crossed my mind when this scholarship opportunity opened,” Fulton noted.
“Once I started working on the scholarship application, I thought about things I had never considered. The application process helped me to think about my values and how they translate to public service,” said Stone. “Devin and Liz (Dobson) were so critical in my completion of the application, as they made sure I had the space to think big ideas,” Stone noted.
“It is an absolute testament to Dayton’s leadership skills, commitment to the greater good, and personal ethics that he should receive this prestigious scholarship,” said Liz Dobson, resident hall area coordinator. “This scholarship is meant to build the next generation of leaders in public service, and I know Dayton will flourish through it. I am so excited for the learning and development opportunities that await him in this next adventure.”
“It is a joy to welcome the 2026-2028 class of Voyagers, the first we have named since the Obama Presidential Center opened its doors on the South Side of Chicago,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation, in the foundation’s announcement of the new cohort. “These 100 young people carry a deep curiosity about the world and an equally deep commitment to the communities that raised them. Next summer they will be able to travel and work anywhere in the world to experience new cultures and enrich their perspectives, meet peers who share their sense of purpose, and join a network that will support them long after graduation, helping to create a better world for future generations to come.”
According to the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service, the scholarship provides college students with financial aid to ease the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to broaden their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them, including:
- Up to $50,000 in financial aid: Students will receive up to $25,000 per year in “last dollar” financial aid during their junior and senior years of college. This aid should ease the burden of college debt and enable students to pursue a career in public service.
- Summer Voyage: Students will receive a $10,000 stipend and free housing through Airbnb listings (up to $4,200) to pursue a summer work-travel experience between their junior and senior years of college. Students will design their own Summer Voyage to gain exposure to new communities and gain experience in a chosen field.
- Fall Summit: Students are invited to an annual summit to help define and inspire their public service journey.
- Network of leaders: Throughout the program, students will be invited to an ongoing speaker series, giving them access to a network of leaders. This network will expose them to new areas of service and innovations in their fields. After graduation, they will join The Obama Foundation’s global community, which provides them with Foundation resources and programming.
For more information about the Voyager Scholarship, visit obama.org/programs/voyager-scholarship.
At a Glance:
- News Focus
- Casper College 2026 graduate Dayton Stone named to the fifth cohort of the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service
- First Voyager Scholarship recipient representing Wyoming among 100 students selected nationwide across 39 states and territories
- Key Participants
- Dayton Stone, Casper College Class of 2026 alumnus and University of Wyoming student
- Devin Fulton, Student Life Coordinator at Casper College
- Liz Dobson, Resident Hall Area Coordinator at Casper College
- Dr. Brandon Kosine, President of Casper College
- Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation
- Key Takeaways and Statistics
- Two-year program for students entering their third year of undergraduate study dedicated to public service careers
- Financial support includes up to $50,000 in financial aid, consisting of up to $25,000 per year during junior and senior years
- Includes a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing up to $4,200 for a self-designed summer work-travel experience
- Provides access to an ongoing leadership network, an annual fall summit, and post-graduation Obama Foundation resources
