The Daily Bulletin Archive

Jean-Francois Gounard, director of the International Student Affairs Office, has been elevated to the top rank of “Commandeur” in France’s l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques, the country’s highest academic honor. The distinction was bestowed on Gounard on January 5 at a ceremony in Paris.

Founded by the Emperor Napoleon in 1808, the l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques, or Order of Academic Palms, recognizes outstanding contributions toward greater understanding of the French language and culture. Gounard is honored for his career-long efforts to promote positive relations between the United States and France, his country of origin, through education, exchange of scholars, and heightened awareness of the Francophone world.

“This is a tremendous honor for Dr. Gounard and Buffalo State College,” said President Muriel A. Howard. “The acclaim is testament to Dr. Gounard’s dedication to teaching and advancing the international community.”

On behalf of the French government, Dr. Suzy Halimi presented the award at the Cercle National Des Armees de Terre de Mer et de L’Air. Halimi, a recognized scholar and author, oversees the education sector of the French delegation to UNESCO. In her remarks to the gathering of family, friends, and high-ranking government and national education officials, Halimi praised Gounard for his passion, commitment, and accomplishments in teaching, scholarship, and research.

Gounard joined Buffalo State in 1982 as the director of International Student Affairs and an adjunct professor of educational foundations and English. His education, through his doctorate, is from the University of Bordeaux, in France. He has published three books and more than 25 journal articles in French and English on African American literature and international education. He has presented more than 200 papers throughout the world and is the recipient of many outstanding awards and honors including two Fulbright grants.

In 1999, Gounard was named “Officier” in l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques in recognition of exceptional university service to France and the United States and for promoting positive relations between the two countries. By a decree signed on November 14, 2003, by the president of the French Republic, Jacques Chirac, Gounard was selected to receive recognition for distinguished merit as a “Chevalier” (Knight) in the National Order of Merit, one of only two French National Orders. The National Order of Merit was created by General de Gaulle 44 years ago. The other is the Order of the Legion of Honor, created by Napoleon in 1802.

Through the programs, activities, and publications of the International Student Affairs Office, Gounard serves more than 300 international students and scholars annually and is instrumental in promoting closer ties between his campus, the Western New York community, and the world.