Ronald W. Tobin, professor of French and UCSB’s associate vice chancellor for academic programs, has been honored by the French Ministry of Education with the highest level of knighthood conferred upon academics.

The award, the “Commander in the Order of the Academic Palms,” was made in recognition of Tobin’s “services rendered to French culture” and his work on behalf of the French language and culture in the United States. In 1999, the French government honored Tobin with a knighthood in the Order of Arts and Letters.

The latest award was presented to Tobin on April 17 in a ceremony at the campus home of Chancellor Henry Yang and his wife, Dilling. “It is with great joy and pride that we have come together to honor our distinguished colleague,” said Yang.

Andre Belais, the cultural attaché at the French Consulate in Los Angeles, represented the Ministry of Education. He saluted Tobin for his scholarly work and, in presenting the medal and certificate, Belais commended him for his dedication to “the creative process” and for his writings, saying they were “so rich, so instructive.”

“This knighthood is in recognition of a lifetime of devotion to France,” said Tobin, who joined the UCSB faculty in 1969. He has continued his teaching and research while serving as associate vice chancellor for academic programs since 1989.