Suzanne Carrell (March 6, 1923 – April 21, 2019) was an American educator and recipient of the awards of the Order of Academic Palms, the Legion of Honor, and the National Order of Merit in honor for her service to France. She was the co-founder of the Jacksonville, Florida chapter of the Alliance Française and was a key member of the Congress of French Culture in Florida, based in Orlando.[1][2][3]
Suzanne Carrell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Suzanne Jeanne Tarbouriech March 6, 1923 |
| Died | April 21, 2019 (aged 96) |
| Nationality | French |
| Citizenship | Franco-American |
| Occupation | educator |
| Years active | 1954 - 2019 |
| Known for | Alliance Française of Jacksonville (Florida) |
| Board member of | Congress of French Culture in Florida |
| Awards | Legion of Honour, National Order of Merit (France), Chevalier of the Order of Academic Palms |
| Academic background | |
| Education | Master's degree |
| Alma mater | University of Algiers |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | French as a Foreign Language |
| Sub-discipline | Humanities |
| Institutions | Jacksonville University |
Early life and education
editCarrell was born in Albi, France in 1923. After the Second World War, she studied at the University of Algiers, where she graduated with a Master's degree in foreign language and the humanities. In 1954, she became an instructor at Jacksonville University after moving to the city with her husband, who was an American Army captain.[4]
Career
editIn 1961, Carrell co-founded a local chapter of the Alliance Française in Jacksonville.[2][5] By the following year, she facilitated the relocation of the existing Congress of French Culture in Florida to the Jacksonville University campus, where it would remain for several years.[6] Carrell continued her work as the university expanded until, in 1974, she was finally granted the opportunity to head a new department devoted entirely to the study of the French language.[4]
For its duration between 1980 and 1986, Carrell was an active promoter of the sister city program between Jacksonville and Nantes.[1] As part of this promotion, a scholarship was made available by the French government through the Congress of French Culture, la Bourse Suzanne Carrell, that made it possible for meritorious students of French to spend a summer studying in France.[5]
After her retirement in 1989,[2] Carrell continued to be an active member in all of her organizations and was highly praised for her work in strengthening the cultural ties between the United States and France.[citation needed]
Awards and recognition
editIn 1967, Carrell was decreed a Knight of the Order of Academic Palms.[2]
In 1980, a scholarship open to participants of Congress of French Culture in Florida was established in her name and continues to this day.[6]
In 2002, Carrell was awarded the French Legion of Honor by then-President Jacques Chirac.[5]
In 2012, Carrell was awarded the National Order of Merit by the Consul General of France Gaël de Maisonneuve.[4][7]
References
edit- ^ a b "Suzanne Carrell, une figure emblématique de la culture française en Floride". France-Amérique (in French). Retrieved 14 January 2019.
- ^ a b c d "57-year career devoted to French language and culture". miami.consulfrance.org. Consulate General of France in Miami. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
- ^ "Suzanne Carrell Obituary - St. Augustine, FL". Legacy.com. The Florida Times Union. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- ^ a b c Levins, Clayton (14 September 2012). "Consul General of France to visit Jacksonville Sept. 23, award National Order of Merit to former JU Professor Suzanne Carrell". The Wave Magazine. Jacksonville University. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ a b c "Retired Professor Honored by French Legion of Honor". Jacksonville University Press Release Archive. Jacksonville University. 4 September 2002. Archived from the original on 2006-09-03. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
- ^ a b Congrès de la Culture Française en Floride, Inc. "About". Congrès de la Culture Française en Floride. Weebly. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
- ^ Levins, Clayton (14 September 2012). "Consul General of France to award National Order of Merit to former JU Prof. Suzanne Carrell". Arlington News. FirstCoastNews.com. Jacksonville University. Retrieved 27 December 2018.