Center Director Receives
Award From France

Center director William Ferris has been named "Officier in the Order of Arts and Letters" by the French government. The honor was presented on January 26 by the Consul General of France, Gerard Blanchot, who earlier in the week conferred France's highest honor -- the French Legion of Honor -- on Mississippi author Eudora Welty.

"It is a great honor to be recognized by a country that appreciates the importance of preserving culture," Ferris said. "The French have a deep concern for their culture and the arts and have tried to protect and enrich their cultural traditions."

The award, established by decree in 1957, is bestowed upon those who have distinguished themselves in artistic and literary fields or by their contributions to the arts in France and throughout the world.

Ferris was first honored by the French in 1985 when he was awarded the title of "chevalier" or knight in the order of arts and letters. The rank of officier, the next highest rank, cannot be awarded sooner than five years after the title of chevalier is conferred. The third and highest rank in the order is "commandeur."

Ferris has worked closely with joint French-American cultural projects such as the shooting of a documentary on the Delta blues by French director Bertrand Tavernier and various cultural programs presented at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Virginia Ferris, Gerard Blanchot, Bill Ferris