Journal file photo
Simmons
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Ruth J. Simmons, former president of Brown University, will receive the French Legion of Honor award Thursday at a ceremony in the John Carter Brown Library on the Brown Campus.
The award, given to Simmons by decree of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, is the highest decoration offered by the French government, given to a select number of recipients in recognition of their contributions to the advancement of French arts and culture, according to a news release.
Fluent in French, Simmons earned her PhD in Romance languages and literature at Harvard University. She has written about French-speaking authors and poets.
Fabien Fieschi, consul general of France in Boston, will present Simmons with the decoration.