St. Paul, Minn. – Two Macalester French professors have received the “Palmes Académiques” from the French government. Prof. Joëlle Vitiello and professor emeritus Françoise Denis received the award from Vincent Floreani, the General Consul of France, who came from Chicago to make the presentation. Juliette Rogers, chair of the French and Francophone Studies Department, also attended the event.
The Ordre des Palmes Académiques is an Order of Chivalry of France and is awarded to those who have rendered eminent service to French education and have contributed actively to the prestige of French culture. This esteemed distinction acknowledges their merits, talents, and exemplary activities.
It is the oldest non-military French decoration, first created in 1808 by Napoléon I as an honorary title to recognize members of the University. The Ordre des Palmes Académiques became a decoration in 1866, under Napoléon III, at which time the honor was also extended to non-teaching persons who had rendered illustrious service to French education and culture.
Christina Selander Bouzouina, of the Alliance Française Mpls/St. Paul, was the third person to receive the award.
The Alliance Française Mpls/St. Paul sponsored the event.
Macalester College, founded in 1874, is a national liberal arts college with a full-time enrollment of 2,138 students. Macalester is nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to academic excellence, internationalism, multiculturalism, and civic engagement. Learn more at macalester.edu.
September 30 2015
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