District Governor

Kurt Harper is a native of Wichita, Kansas. He received a bachelor’s degree in Russian Language and Literature and an associate degree in Slavic and Soviet Area Studies from the University of Kansas in 1975.  During his studies, he attended an intensive language institute in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg).  Upon graduation, he was admitted into Phi Beta Kappa.  Kurt then went on to obtain a law degree, also from the University of Kansas, in 1979, attaining membership in the Order of the Coif.

Kurt is married to Kelly Harper, also a native of Wichita.  She has recently retired from over a decade of service as the Director of Major and Planned Gifts for United Way of the Plains.  She is fluent in French. They love domestic and international travel.  They have 2 adult children, and have hosted many international exchange students over 30 years.

Kurt has practiced law in Wichita, Kansas, from 1979 to the present, where his practice focuses principally on commercial litigation.  He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Wichita since 1995.  He has served the club as Vice President in 2006-07, and as President in 2008-09.  Kurt also has served Rotary as the District 5690 representative to the Russia-US Intercountry Committee since 2009, and as the President of the U.S. section for the 2017-18 year.  In addition, he was the team leader for his district’s 2012 GSE exchange with Russia.  He and Kelly had the opportunity to attend a Rotary Peace Conference in St. Petersburg in 1997, and enjoyed a recent tour of Russia’s Golden Ring sponsored by the Rotary Club of Moscow-East.

In addition to his Rotary service, Kurt has been active in a number of other civic organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Wichita Symphony Society since 1987; Episcopal Social Services; and the vestry of St. James Episcopal Church.  Kelly has been active in Sister Cities, PEO, and many other community boards.