Professor Mary Gegerias
Receives New Honor from French Government
“I have always been passionate about people, the truth, integrity,
education, honor. Family and friends say that I am passionate about
France and particularly Paris, and I am.”
A standing-room-only crowd of faculty, staff, students, and alumnae
gathered in the Founder’s Room on Wednesday evening, November
17, as French Ambassador Alain Briottet, acting on behalf of the French
Republic and President Jacques Chirac, presented Professor Mary Gegerias
with a medal representing her promotion to Officer in the National
Order of Arts and Letters (Officier dans l’Ordre National des
Arts et des Lettres) for her indefatigable work over the past 56 years
at PMC on behalf of French culture, language, and literature.
President
Nemerowicz welcomed the assembled guests on behalf of the College.
Before introducing Ambassador Briottet, Dean of the College Nia Lane
Chester pointed out that Gegerias joined the PMC faculty in 1949,
served as the head of the French House, established the PMC exchange
program in Paris, has been instrumental in bringing many distinguished
French citizens to campus, and is an honorary citizen of Collias, France.
After starting his presentation in French, Ambassador Briottet spoke
in English, stating that, “this new recognition given by the
French government not only honors an eminent professor, but also a
distinguished Bostonian and a great friend of France.
“Without forgetting your Greek roots, you became the embodiment
of the Massachusetts ‘state of mind’ and of its residents’ finest
qualities: perseverance, hard work, and respect for tradition, coupled
with tolerance, open-mindedness, and curiosity about others and other
cultures.
French Ambassador Alain Briottet and Professor Gegerias “France knows it can rely on American friends like you, dear
Mary. France recognizes the efforts of American French professors like
yourself who make repeated efforts, which eventually form unbreakable
bonds between our two people. In fact, you are the embodiment of the
spirit of our historical friendship.”
Responding to the Ambassador’s
presentation, Professor Gegerias said, “I have always been passionate
about people, the truth, integrity, education, honor. Family and friends
say that I am passionate about France and particularly Paris, and I
am. My students say I am passionate about the subjunctive, and I am.
In my more than 55 years at PMC, I have been passionate about my teaching
and my students, and I have tried to impart a love of the French language,
French literature, French culture, and French civilization, and I am
honored by this recognition.“
Alumnae
came from as far away as Philadelphia to honor Gegerias and a number
of them contributed to the College’s development fund
in her name.
The French National Order of Arts and Letters was established
in 1957 to recognize eminent artists, writers, and others who have
contributed significantly to furthering the arts and literature in
France and throughout the world.
Ambassador Briottet, Gegerias and some of her students
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