In Memoriam

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Professor Pius Ngandu. Professor Ngandu passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. He had been a Distinguished Faculty of Louisiana State University’s Department of French Studies, where he had been employed since 2000 and had recently retired. 
 
An academic gathering in Professor Ngandu's honor will be held in Fall 2024. A memorial website has been established.
 
To honor his memory, the DFS will provide an annual Pius Ngandu Memorial Award, in the amount of $5,000 annually, bringing the total compensation for the selected student to $28,000.


The Department of French Studies works together with the Center for French and Francophone Studies, an independent but closely allied unit, to put the Louisiana State University French program at the forefront of study of French and Francophone literatures, language, and cultures. In recognition of this, the French Embassy to the United States designated the CFFS as one of the initial centres d'excellence, an honor currently given to only 22 university French programs in the United States. Our research, scholarship, and instruction reflect the historical significance of Francophone languages and cultures for Louisiana, as well as the leadership provided by French studies in the European intellectual tradition. Louisiana State University, an integral part of the Baton Rouge community, is situated at the crossroads of the Francophone world; our Cadjin and Creole history links us to France, to Canada, to Africa, and to the Caribbean. The department is also a member of the network of Chaires Senghor de la Francophonie, designated by the French Académie des Sciences d'Outre-Mer.

Date Event Time and Location
Thursday, Sept. 21 Lecture by Professor Jacqueline Couti, Rice University (sponsored by LSU CFFS) 4:00 pm, Sternberg Salon, French House
Thursday, Nov. 8 Lecture by Professor Faith Beasley, Dartmouth College TBA
Friday, October 27 Journée d'étude sur la laïcité TBA
Friday,  January 26 Lecture by Professor Remy Debes, University of Memphis TBA
Friday, March 1 Lecture by Professor Mike Monahan, University of Memphis TBA
Th-Sat, April 18-20 French Philosophy Today conference (with LSU Philosophy) TBA
Mid-April Digital Humanities Workshop (with LSU CFFS) TBA

In light of recent events, we, the faculty of the LSU Department of French Studies, acknowledge the deep and grievous damage inflicted by sexual misconduct on its victims. The trauma of being a victim of sexual harassment, predation, and assault can cause profound and irreparable harm, permanently altering the lives, health, and careers of those affected. As teachers and scholars, we have a special obligation to root out sexual misconduct, harassment, and assault from our own community, ensure a safe and respectful environment for study and work, and provide support for those who are affected by these crimes. From this point forward we pledge to provide transparency and accountability, to promote justice for all victims, to shield from retaliation all who report such incidents, and to take concrete action in making sure that members of our community do not ever encounter such trauma. 

Please navigate to our Resources page for a full statement on Sexual Misconduct from the LSU Department of French Studies.

Join Us for the Annual Friends of French

FÊTE CHAMPÊTRE

Sunday, November 19

West Baton Rouge Museum

Email friendsoffrench@lsu.edu with any questions!