The Rotary Foundation’s oldest program, the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Program, was in the spotlight on Jan. 15, when the Los Altos Rotary Club welcomed to its weekly luncheon meeting a visiting French student, Laure Bernhardt, a recipient of a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship.

Bernhardt’s scholarship has made it possible for her to complete her master’s degree in management science and engineering at Stanford University. Prior to this she was a student at l’Ecole Centrale, France’s top engineering school.

The Rotary Club of Bordeaux Centre in France sponsored Bernhardt’s successful application, while the Rotary Club of Cupertino serves as her sponsor during her time in this area.

Following her introduction by Rotarian Marlene Cowan, Bernhardt expressed her gratitude for the opportunity that Rotary has given her to study in the United States, and to help strengthen ties between the French and American peoples.

While she is here, she is also serving as an active member of the World Community Service Committee of Stanford University’s Rotaract Club.

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships are available to outstanding students who wish to pursue graduate study abroad. The scholarships are awarded in amounts of up to $25,000, depending on the type of scholarship applied for and awarded.

Students wishing to apply through the Los Altos Rotary Club must reside in Los Altos, or their parents must. Children of Rotarians are not eligible for these scholarships.

For more information, call Shiv Shastri at 428-1768 or write to the Los Altos Rotary Club, P.O. Box 794, Los Altos, CA 94023. Applications are also available at the Rotary Foundation’s Web site, www.rotary.org/foundation/educational.

Completed applications for Ambassadorial Scholarships must be submitted to the Los Altos Rotary Club by April 15.