Mentorship and Ambassadorial Scholarship shape a future Rotary leader
RIPN Larry Lunsford will be the second former Ambassadorial Scholar to lead Rotary International in 2027-28. His journey highlights the lasting impact of Rotary programs and mentorship across decades.
On his relationship with late PRIP Ray Klinginsmith, Larry says, “It’s a classic illustration of what Rotarians and Rotary Clubs can do when they know about the programs of the organization, and they think about people that might benefit.” The relationship lasted beyond the program and throughout Larry’s Rotary journey.
Ray was also a Missourian and the first RI President who was an Ambassadorial Scholar to South Africa in 1960-61. He watched Larry play basketball in high school and observed how he excelled academically in Macon when Ray had a law office there. Coincidentally, Ray was a professor at Truman State University when Larry enrolled. The university ensured that each student had a faculty mentor. As if by fate, Ray became Larry’s mentor.
How the Ambassadorial Scholarship influenced Larry Lunsford’s Rotary path
Ray, who joined Rotary in 1961 and understood the Ambassadorial Scholarship in depth, suggested that Larry apply. Larry followed that advice and studied at Newcastle University in Australia in 1981-82.
“Even though that was 1982, I knew that one day I would join a Rotary club because I had had that daily international immersion,” says Larry.
You would expect that Larry would be welcomed by any Rotary club when he was ready to join, but the era was different. Larry visited four or five Rotary clubs in the Kansas City area, but they had all the accountants they wanted. It did not matter that he was a Rotary Foundation alumnus. Classification rules were strictly followed at the time.
Rotary relationships open doors to service and leadership
So what did he do? He called Ray Klinginsmith, who called PRID Dick Burnett, who then contacted Alex Petrovic, a charter member and past president of the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club. Alex ultimately became Larry’s sponsor.
Ray and his network ensured that Larry found a Rotary home. After serving as club president in 1997-98, Ray was among the first to encourage Larry to apply for District 6040 Governor in 2001-02.
“Ray was always encouraging. He continued to upgrade assistance. He was a tremendous influence and a Rotary mentor to this day,” Larry remembers.
A Rotary relationship that began through Youth Service extended for nearly half a century. Larry now follows in Ray’s footsteps and will become Rotary International President on July 1, 2027.
