Campus & Community

City of Lyon, Rhône-Alpes District honors two professors

2 min read

Smith Professor of French Language and Literature Christie McDonald and Professor Bradley S. Epps of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at Harvard were recently presented with medals by Philippe Merlo-Morat, professeur des Universités (Université Lumière Lyon 2) on behalf of Gérard Collomb, mayor of Lyon, and Jean-Jack Queyranne, president of the Rhône-Alpes district.

McDonald, who also chairs the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, received the Sceau d’Honneur of the city of Lyon, France, while Epps was honored with the Medal of the Rhône-Alpes district in France. These awards are given to individuals who show a strong interest in Lyon and the district of Rhône-Alpes and, especially, for their efforts to improve the culture of this city and district.

During the ceremony, the Lyon and district representatives expressed their gratitude to the awardees for their work in this respect and that they become ambassadors of Lyon and the district throughout the world. The awards also help to reinforce the strong friendship between the United States and France, and between the two countries’ educators and researchers.

The April 25 event took place in the Pusey Room of the Memorial Church and was attended by numerous faculty and other members and friends of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, including French Consul François Gauthier.