UF professor to be inducted into the French Legion of Honor

November 11, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A University of Florida professor is being awarded the highest decoration bestowed by the nation of France.

Carol Murphy, director of the France-Florida Research Institute and a professor of French in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, will receive the title Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, or knight of the legion, for her work in facilitating academic and research collaboration between France and the United States. The decoration ceremony will take place Nov. 17 at the residence of the French ambassador to the U.S. in Washington, D.C.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized by France for my efforts, but no one stands alone in such enterprises,” Murphy said. “I have many colleagues in French studies at UF to thank for their collective energy and expertise in making the FFRI a success.”

Founded in 2002 though a grant procured by Murphy, the France Florida Research Institute is one of only 14 centers of excellence in French Studies in the U.S. recognized by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The institute serves as an umbrella organization to promote partnerships between the University of Florida and French and Francophone research centers and academic institutions, including the Institut d’études politiques and the Ecole pratique des hautes études. The institute has sponsored numerous lectures, two international conferences, 18 visiting professorships, film festivals and concerts related to France and Francophone countries.

“One of the immense pleasures of directing the FFRI is the opportunity to increase international visibility for the excellence of UF’s academic mission” Murphy said.

Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honor recognizes civilians and the military for serving the state or upholding the ideals of France. Other Americans who have been named to the Legion include Gen. Douglas MacArthur, chef Julia Child, inventor Thomas Edison and aviator Charles Lindbergh.