 "Photo: Caleb Miller/The Daily Texan")
University of Texas President Bill Powers was knighted into a centuries-old French order known as Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, or the “Legion of Honor.”
The ceremony was held in Powers’ office last month where French Consul General Pierre Grandjouan presented Powers with a medal. According to a UT press release, Grandjouan expressed his gratitude for all the work the University has contributed to the development of a strong relationship between UT and French learning institutions.
“Joining this prestigious order is a wonderful honor,” Powers said. “It helps demonstrate how well the university is represented and respected worldwide.”
This recognition came in response to the work Powers accomplished as dean of the UT Law School when he approved a program that would bring young judges from Germany and France to study with UT law students.
Powers worked together with UT professor Basil Markesinis, who helped bridge the international gap with his overseas connections.
“In my 40-year international legal career, I have never come across an initiative that furthered more intellectual exchanges... and at the same time it performs an immensely useful role in creating closer working links between the U.S. and an old and important ally,” Markesinis said in a 2009 UT press release regarding the program.
“This exchange program benefits all parties involved,” Powers said. “It allows students from differing cultures to join together and build off of each other’s prior experiences.”
The program began in 2005 and aimed to bring students to UT for a one-year stay.
Designers projected the program to last between three and five years but it is still going strong.
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