Samia Spencer, French professor emerita, was recently inducted into the National Order of Merit.
"I am honored and humbled to be recognized by the government of France for services to the French nation, its people and its language and culture," Spencer said in her acceptance speech.
Spencer said her first title was as Knight in the Order of Academic Palms. Since then, she was recognized as an honorary consul and, most recently, she received her highest honor.
"I have had other awards from the French government coming from the Ministry of Education, and it is a gift to recognize people in the field of education that contribute a lot," Spencer said.
Spencer said she has worked with the French government since she started work at Auburn University in 1972.
"I deal a lot with French teachers and, through this work, I was an honorary," Spencer said. "Most honorary consuls are French nationals, and I am not a French national, so it was a great honor."
Spencer said by being able to work as an honorary consul and arrange tours for French officials, she has been able to learn more about the French government, the French culture and the state of Alabama.
Viviane Koua, French lecturer at Auburn University, said Spencer is passionate about her job.
"Dr. Spencer is a lady who loves what she does," Koua said. "She loves French and she loves everything about French. She likes to see a student perform and master the language."
Evelyne M. Bornier, assistant professor of French, said she has known Spencer since she began teaching in Auburn approximately two and a half years ago.
"Dr. Spencer has been a great colleague, and she has done a lot for the French language at Auburn, and the honor that was bestowed on her is huge and it is really going to shine some light on our program," Bornier said.
Bornier said Spencer's achievement will raise awareness for the French department.
Spencer will become more well-known and people's interest in her will continue to expand, according to Koua.
"The award that she got will encourage people to come and learn French and also encourage a young professor like me to follow her steps because this is something that I should follow for my career and for my students," Koua said.
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