Endowed scholarship expands global opportunities for KU Business students

An endowed scholarship at the KU School of Business will provide financial support for studying abroad. Established by 1987 business graduate Lance Luther and his wife, Kelly, the Lance and Kelly Luther Study Abroad Scholarship will help business students with academic merit and financial need while attending international business schools or earning business credits abroad.

A Leawood native, Lance majored in business administration with a Spanish concentration. He started at KU with the goal to be an attorney but changed his degree to business during his sophomore year. He didn’t want his Spanish classes to go to waste and thought of the ways that he could combine his Spanish background with business. He met with then-Dean John Tollefson and worked out a way to study abroad at the University of Seville’s business school. Lance credits his experience in Seville as a key differentiator that opened the door to many career options.

“The arrangement I made with KU and the University of Seville allowed me to pursue my personal academic goals while earning credits for two degrees,” Lance said. “These types of programs are now available for students, but in 1986, students had to create their own opportunities.” 

As he entered the workforce, Lance competed for jobs with students with master’s and technical degrees. He focused on his international experience and ability to create a path, making him stand out in the candidate pool for a consulting position at Arthur Andersen, now known as Accenture. He didn’t have a computer background or an MBA that the position typically required. During his interview, he illustrated how he set up his program between the schools and his proficiency in the language. Lance had a 37-year career with the company.

“I was a self-starter with a demonstrated ability to adapt and succeed in different cultures and organizations,” Lance said. “The study abroad program at KU and the School of Business offered me that opportunity. I feel strongly that all students should have the same opportunities if they choose to pursue international business studies. KU offers a strong academic foundation and combining it with international business experience is a game changer in launching a new career.”

The Luthers wanted to create an opportunity that would continue to provide scholarships year over year. They see how studying abroad gives students international exposure and brings them to see the world differently, especially in the context of business and in the classroom. Kelly, a career educator, shares the same passion for helping students excel through new opportunities to explore the world and connect to with different cultures.

"I want everybody to think that a study abroad program is within reach and not to be discouraged for financial reasons,” Lance said. “It’s important that students lean into it in a business context it's going to help them in their career.”

“We hope this scholarship opens doors for students and challenges them to see the world through different perspectives,” Kelly said.