Jean-François Rochard, deputy cultural attaché of the French Comsulate in Chicago; Dr. Susie Hennessy, professor of French; and Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western's president, after Rochard presented Dr. Hennessy with the Order of Academic Palms.
Dr. Susie Hennessy, professor of French and foreign language coordinator at Missouri Western State University, was decorated as a Chevalier (knight) of the French “Ordre des Palmes Académiques,” or Order of Academic Palms, during a ceremony at the university. Dr. Hennessy was presented with the order’s insignia, a medallion on a ribbon, by Jean-François Rochard, deputy cultural attaché of the French Consulate in Chicago.
“The first time that I went to France, I felt like I’d come home,” Dr. Hennessy said after Rochard made the presentation. “Being a French professor, studying French, traveling to France has opened so many doors for me, given me so many opportunities that I never would have had otherwise. So that’s what I see as my mission, to open doors for students.”
Rochard present's the Order of Academic Palms' insignia, a medallion on a ribbon, to Dr. Hennessy.
The Order of Academic Palms was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808, and is given to cultural and educational figures for major contributions to French education and the expansion of French culture. It is awarded by the French Ministry of National Education.
Dr. Hennessy has been at Missouri Western since 1997. In addition to teaching French and coordinating all foreign language studies at the university, she has served as the director of summer study programs in France, chair of the annual Foreign Language Day for area high school students and coordinator of the Foreign Film Series. She has created regular events where students, faculty and staff could gather for French conversation, and frequently brings guest speakers to campus to discuss French culture, history and perspectives. She has also served as president of the Alliance Française de St. Joseph, the local chapter of a worldwide organization that promotes the use and appreciation of French language and culture through classes, programs, social events and information resources. She received the Jesse Lee Myers Excellence in Teaching Award from Missouri Western in 2007.
Dr. Hennessy received her Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages from Colorado College and her PhD. in French Literature from the University of Colorado. She previously taught at the University of Colorado and Southern Arkansas University.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.