Lawrence Kritzman, Edward Tuck professor of French language and literature, has been honored once again by the French government for his efforts to promote French culture.
Three years ago, Kritzman was knighted by L'Ordre des Palmes Academiques in recognition of his service in the field of education.
Kritzman was recently elevated to the rank of officer, the second highest rank of L'Ordre des Palmes Academiques. He will receive the medal signifying his honor this spring at the French embassy in New York.
"Professor Kritzman is extremely active in promoting French language and culture at Dartmouth and in the academic world of the United States," Christian Delcampagne said in a press release. Delcampagne is the French cultural attache in Boston.
As head of the Committee for the Future of French Studies, which he founded in 1991, Kritzman works towards strengthening the study of French culture, language and literature.
"The committee attempts to increase interest in French studies through making French programs more interdisciplinary, and to develop a curriculum to prepare us for the 21st century," Kritzman said.
"This committee was labeled a 'center of excellence' by the French government and receives a yearly budget from the French," he said.
The committee is given funding to help improve French cultural studies under Kritzman's direction.
In addition to being a professor of French language, history and comparative literature, Kritzman has edited a series of books by contemporary French intellectuals to make them more accessible to French students.
When asked how he manages to accomplish all of this, Kritzman said, "I sleep very little."
But Kritzman said he does notmind all of the hard work he puts into his profession -- when asked why the French government loves him so much, Kritzman said, "Because I love them so much. I've had a love affair with French ever since I was 18, it is my passion and desire."
Kritzman said he feels "very honored to be recognized and very appreciative of the French Government."
Kritzman said he hopes that others will follow his example.
"It is important to connect what you are doing with the public sphere in order to keep the field vital and growing," Kritzman said.
Kritzman co-directed the Edouard Morot-Sir Institute of French Cultural Studies at Dartmouth, a five week-long conference that he plans to hold annually at different universities.
According to the Boston Globe, the French government gave Kritzman $100,000 to run the conference last summer.
This conference brings together professors from universities across America to develop student-oriented curricula.
L'Ordre des Palmes Acad-emiques was established by Napoleon Bonparte in 1808 to honor educators by eminent faculty of French universities.
