Praised for his varied works encompassing several periods of French culture, Richard L. Frautschi received the Palmes Academiques Award Tuesday in the Fireside Room of the Nittany Lion Inn.

"I am very grateful and honored by this award," said Frautschi, who was lauded for his job as former head of the University's French department.

The ceremony, which lasted about 15 minutes, was conducted entirely in French. About 50 people watched as Michel Oriano pinned the award, which is actually a medal, on Frautschi's chest.

"He is an eminent professor. He has created a dynamic French department," said Oriano, French cultural attache and professor of American studies at Sorbonne University in Paris. Oriano presented the award to Frautschi as a representative of the French Ministry of Education.

Oriano said the award has three ranks: commander, officer and knight. Frautschi received the second rank of officer, shown by the purple ribbons on his medal.

Gerard V. Brault nominated Frautschi, who ran the French department for 19 years, for his great service to French culture, Oriano said.

Brault, who previously received the same award, said he was head of the French department before Frautschi. Brault added he is now acting department head following the resignation of Frautschi's successor.

"We want a scholar and an administrator. The person who was appointed changed his mind and left," Brault said. That was more than one year ago, he added.

Frautschi is the third member of the French department to receive this award, said Brault. Professor Emeritus Laurent LeSage also received the same honor prior to Brault.

Earlier in the afternoon, Oriano dedicated a plaque for the Penn State Liberty Tree and the French Revolution Machine at the Kern Graduate Commons.

The revolution machine was constructed last summer by students and faculty in the Department of Architecture.

Oriano, who has been in the United States for three months, said he is stationed in Washington, D.C. as a diplomat in the French Embassy.