French studies occupy a special place at UQ as an immersive discipline and a close-knit community. The discipline attracts passionate individuals, keen to experience an expansive view of the world through the study of the French language, its speakers and their cultures. Many former students say that French studies, and the associated experiences, have changed their lives for the better and that they themselves have had a positive impact on their world.

The funds raised through this appeal will support an annual prize to a student of French, the French Language Legacy Award. Through your contribution, you are investing in future students' participation in additional learning experiences: study abroad, virtual mobility, conferences or internships. The French Language Legacy Award is a way to ensure future talented French students are afforded these much-needed opportunities while honouring the stories and generous spirit of those who came before.

This Award is seeded by Miss Dorothy Marsden's (1919-2020) $5,000 bequest to the Faculty of Arts. A French student at UQ in the late 1930s, she taught French at Ipswich Girls Grammar School for an extraordinary 42 years.

Current French staff remember gifted scholar, Emily John (1978-2019). Her commitment, drive and passion shone in Shakespeare workshops in Montpellier, humanitarian work in Togo and French teaching in Longreach. She continues to inspire us.

We invite you to join us in honouring these and other former students and staff or simply to celebrate your own experience of studying French. Above all, a legacy is future-oriented and together, we can ensure French students are encouraged and enabled to pursue their dreams for generations to come.

Image: Emily pictured with Associate Professor Marisa Cordella, winning a scholarship within the School of Languages and Cultures.

UQ French Society :

"As a student-led organisation which dedicates itself to celebrating and promoting French language and culture, The University of Queensland French Society is proud to make a contribution to this fantastic cause. In honour of all French teachers and academics who have supported the study of UQFS members past and present, we are pleased to make our own effort towards enriching the future of French language learning at UQ."