Fairfield Citizen
Fairfield French Professor gets honor from homeland.
May 11, 2011 at 4:29 pm by Linda Conner Lambeck
FAIRFIELD _ It’s an honor created by Napoleon in 1806 to pay
tribute to the leading scholars at the University of Paris. Since 1866
it has been open to foreign nationals for their contributions to French
culture. This month, the French government presented Fairfield University
faculty member Jacqueline De La Chapeel Skubly with the L’Ordre
des Palmes Académiques Award.
Skubly, an adjunct professor at Fairfield, as well as Sacred Heart
University and Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport , teaches
modern languages and literatures. The award was presented to her during
an hour long ceremony at the university. Yolanda Bosman from the Consulate
General of France presented Skubly with the award.
The Ordre des Palmes Académiques is a French honor society that
recognizes academics and educators for their contributions to the teaching
and dissemination of French language and culture.
Skuby said she was proud and surprised to be chosen for the honor.
Skubly’s induction into L’Ordre des Palmes Academiques
recognizes her extraordinary accomplishments over a 50-year career
as an educator. “
Vincent Morrissette, an adjunct professor in the modern languages and
literatures department, who nominated Skubly, said for his colleague,
the honor is akin to receiving the official seal of approval
from the mother country.
Skubly was born and educated in Paris, and later moved to Bridgeport
where she became a U.S. citizen. She is a retired professor at Housatonic,
where she served as chairwoman of the Department of Foreign Languages.
Earlier in her career, she served as language coordinator for intensive
courses in French language for the Peace Corps at Dartmouth College.
For several years she was a reader for the College Board of Advanced
Placement Test for French essays.
Anson C. Smith, Public Relations Coordinator
Housatonic Community College
900 Lafayette Blvd.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Tel: 203-332-5229, Fax: 203-332-5247
E-mail: asmith@hcc.commnet.edu