University professor Ezra Suleiman has been named a knight of the Legion of Honor for his contributions to France and to French-American relations. An award created by Napoleon, it is the most prestigious award bestowed by the French government.
President Jacques Chirac of France gave Suleiman the decorations in a formal ceremony.
The Legion of Honor is granted twice a year to "all kinds of people who distinguish themselves in their field," namely military leaders, civil servants and scholars, Suleiman said.
Suleiman is IBM professor in international studies, chair of the European studies committee and a politics professor. He has written more than a dozen books about European politics including a study of the top echelons of French civil servants.
"He is a remarkable administrator," said Francois Rigolot, a Romance languages and literatures professor. "He was instrumental in convincing the French government to fund the [Center for French Studies]."
Primarily, Suleiman is interested in comparative bureaucracy, policymaking and executive leadership.
The Legion of Honor is usually given to French people. However, Suleiman was born in Iraq and grew up in England. He received a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from Columbia University.
"The honor is a way to recognize Suleiman both as a leader, scholar and administrator," Rigolot said. "It is also a way to recognize Princeton."
Suleiman is not the first University professor to earn this decoration. Robert Darnton of the history department received it in 1999. Also not of French birth, Darnton was honored for his research and analysis of French history. — DEBORAH AROTSKY
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