Dr. Alain-Philippe Durrand [left] receives the Palmes Académique award from French Consul François Gauthier.

University professor receives prestigious French teaching award

By: Tyler Will

Posted: 10/23/07

10/23/07 - Dr. Alain-Philippe Durand, a French professor at the University of Rhode Island, was honored with the Palme Acadèmique Award for teaching in the Independence Hall auditorium Friday.

The French government distributes the Palme Acadèmique, or Academic Palm, which was established about 200 years ago by Napoleon Bonaparte to honor educators. It is the most prestigious award educators can earn.

President Robert L. Carothers said URI will directly benefit from this award.

"We've had significant gains in the quality of our faculty," said Carothers. "To have one of our faculty members for a very high distinction is very prestigious for our university and it enhances our reputation."

The award is given on the basis of distinguished achievement in French education.

"In this spirit, Philippe is worthy of such an award," said Francois Gauthier, the French consul who gave Durand the award. "Philippe arrived at URI in 1999, and it hasn't been the same since."

Gauthier said that when Durand arrived, URI had about 30 French majors. Less than a decade later, there are 122 French majors.

"Alain-Philippe is capable of working magic," Gauthier said.

The exponential growth has nationally ranked URI's French program.

"Thanks to Professor Durand, we have the third largest French department in terms of student enrollment in the country," Carothers said.

He also mentioned that the two largest French programs are at schools that have thousands more students than URI.

Dr. Winifred Brownell, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said Durand has established connections between departments. Brownell described Durand as "a wonderful presence," and said that he "fosters marriages: marriages between French and business, French and pharmacy and French and textiles."

Brownell said Durand has influenced the International Engineering Program at URI, a program for students double-majoring in engineering and a foreign language.

Durand's American status only further promotes the prestige of the award. Gauthier said the Palme Acadèmique is usually given to domestic Frenchmen.

"It's rare," Gauthier said, commenting on foreign given awards. He gave the award to three American professors last year.

The honor of such an award leaves Durand in shock.

"I have a hard time believing it myself," said Durand, adding that he was speechless.

Durand said it is the cultural aspect that motivates him to teach.

"French culture has such a rich and long history," he said. "It will be beneficial to all students to acquire knowledge about that culture,"

Durand said has always enjoyed academia.

"I didn't want to leave," he said. "The only way not to leave was to become a professor, and [teaching] became like a mission to me."

Colin Lindo has had five classes with Durand and spoke highly of his professor. "He's the best professor I've ever had. He's enthusiastic and humorous. It's like a stand-up comedy routine that I enjoy and it makes me want to come to class."

Lauren Dontek, another student of Durand described him as a passionate teacher.

"He encourages people to experience another culture."

Dontek's remarks shed light on one of Durand's philosophies.

"I think that what is vital is studying abroad. The students get opportunities to go abroad and they are changed forever," Durand said.

Durand said he is sure that people in France will hear he received the Palme Acadèmique.

"They will not believe it," he said.