UTA Law School ex-Dean Knighted by French for Judicial Exchange Program

William Powers Jr., president of The University of Texas at Austin, has been appointed to the rank of Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, the most senior of France’s Orders of Chivalry, for his work in establishing the French Judicial Visiting Fellowship program at the university.

The appointment as a Knight of the Order of the Légion d’honneur, on the proposal of President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, was announced on October 28th. The Order was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804.

The fellowship program brings to university two French junior judges who spend a year learning about the United States judicial system. The program covers most of the participants’ tuition and living expenses.

Powers established the program in 2005 while dean of the Law School.

There is no word as to whether Powers will insist that colleagues call him The Chavalier William, and doff their giant feathered hats whenever they see him.

Via UT.