Academic to receive French decoration

11-June-2002

A decoration instituted by Napoleon in 1808 will be awarded to a University of Wollongong academic at a special ceremony tomorrow (Wednesday 12 June).

Associate Professor Brian McCarthy, of the Faculty of Arts' Modern Languages Program, will be made a Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Academiques by Monsieur Arnaud Littardi, Cultural and Scientific Counsellor of the Embassy of France in Australia.

The Palmes Academiques will be awarded by the French Ministry of Education in recognition of Professor McCarthy's career of outstanding service to the French language and culture. The ceremony will be attended by colleagues, friends, family, students and members of the French community.

Professor McCarthy was appointed to the University of Wollongong as a foundation lecturer in French in 1975. His academic qualifications include a BA with 1st class honours in French, a Master of Arts, a Diploma of Education and a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Linguistics. In 1994, he received the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Professor McCarthy has been Head of the Modern Languages Program since 1999.

Professor McCarthy has been the recipient of numerous research grants, and the author of half a dozen textbooks, over 40 research articles and 50 language-learning software modules. He has also been involved in the community and in secondary education over many years. Professor McCarthy was a foundation member of the Alliance Francaise de l'Illawarra and its president for 12 years. He is a nationally accredited translator and has served as a French interpreter for local and state bodies.

Media please note Ceremony time: 12.30pm, Wednesday 12 June. It will be hosted by the Dean of Arts, Professor Sharon Bell.

Venue: Vice-Chancellor's Dining Room, McKinnon Building (Bldg 67)