When the University of Louisiana at Lafayette holds its Fall Commencement on Dec. 20, French Ambassador François Delattre will not only be the Commencement speaker, he'll also receive an honorary doctorate of Francophone Studies.
"In the past, Louisiana and France have shared many things. Having a French diplomat and peacemaker of Ambassador Dellatre's stature wear the silks of the University underscores our common beliefs and desires," said Dr. Bradd Clark, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at UL Lafayette.
Delattre was appointed ambassador to the United States in 2011 after serving as ambassador of France to Canada from 2008 to 2011.
Delattre joined the French Foreign Ministry in 1989; he served at the French embassy to Germany and in the Department of Strategic Affairs and Disarmament. He also served as press and communications director at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., deputy director of the French Foreign Minister’s Office, and French consul general in New York City.
As member of President Jacques Chirac’s foreign policy team from 1995 to 1998, Delattre was responsible for European and trans-Atlantic defense and security matters and managing the Bosnian crisis.