Events
Dr. Benjamin Hoffmann presented with the insignia of Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques.
Consul General Yannick Tagand presented Dr. Benjamin Hoffmann with the insignia of Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques.
On April 1st, Consul General Yannick Tagand visited Columbus, Ohio, to present Dr. 📚 Benjamin Hoffmann, founding director of the French Center of Excellence at The Ohio State University, with the insignia of Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques, and to celebrate the inaugural "Night of Ideas" at the Wexner Center for the Arts.
At a ceremony held at the Faculty Club, Dr. Hoffmann was honored for his career in education, his dedication to French language teaching, and his efforts in fostering cultural ties between France and the U.S. "Thanks to Benjamin's dedication, the Center of Excellence has become a hub for Francophone cultural activities in the Midwest." Y. Tagand.
A specialist in 18th-century French literature and philosophy, creative writing, and contemporary French literature, Dr. Hoffmann is not only a professor of French and Francophone Studies, he is also an accomplished researcher, and author of several books and essays. Under his leadership, the French Center of Excellence has supported many different projects with Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education and other institutions to promote Franco-American cultural and intellectual exchanges, including successful initiatives such as the Jules Verne Writing Residency, which brings French-speaking novelists to Columbus, and “French Press,” a YouTube channel where acclaimed writers and thinkers discuss their works.
That day also marked the first edition of "Night of Ideas" at Ohio State organized jointly by the Center of Excellence, Villa Albertine and the Wexner Center. By combining academic insights with artistic expression, this event under the unifying theme "Common Grounds," created a dynamic and creative platform for exploring and exchanging perspectives on contemporary issues, such as climate change, historical perspectives on freedom, labor mobility, community collaboration and more.
