An ‘unwavering dedication’ to French education in the U.S.: St. Mike’s professor knighted by France
Professor Peter Vantine has long borne the title of Saint Michael’s College Purple Knight over his more than a decade of teaching French at the College. But, thanks to the French government, he recently got an upgrade to his knighthood.
Mustafa Soykurt, Consul General of France in Boston, pins a medal to Professor Peter Vantine’s lapel signifying his status of Knight in the Order of Academic Palms. The honor was bestowed on Vantine during a ceremony on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Sophie Burt ’26)
Recently, Vantine, who is Chair of the Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures Department, was recognized as a Knight in the Order of Academic Palms (or Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques). Mustafa Soykurt, Consul General of France in Boston, bestowed the honor upon Vantine during a ceremony on campus March 12.
“I am deeply touched by this recognition granted to me in the name of the French government, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education,” Vantine said. “Everywhere in this world, here as elsewhere, education is essential. It is a need and a good. It is a gift that we deserve by the mere fact of our humanity. It is a sacred responsibility that every generation owes to itself to transmit to the following generation.”
Vantine, a South Burlington resident, received the honor for his commitment to promoting French language, culture, and education in the U.S., at Saint Michael’s, and in Vermont. He has taught classes on the French language, literature, and culture at Saint Michael’s since 2011, and he currently serves as faculty advisor to the College’s French Club. He has also worked throughout this time to bring French culture to the wider Saint Michael’s community by holding lectures, screening French films, organizing French theatrical performances and concerts, and bringing French film festivals to the College. He often collaborates with the Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region (AFLCR) to make these events possible.
Watch a video by Patrick Bohan with highlights from the ceremony. Story continues below.
“By bestowing this ribbon, France – rightly – thanks you for all you have been doing day after day since 2011 with students, whom I imagine to be just as passionate to scatter the petals of our country’s literature, and more particularly, that of the 19th century.”
Additionally, Vantine serves as the Regional Representative for New England to the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), the national professional association for French teachers at all levels in the U.S.
“It is your unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to the French language and culture that we celebrate today,” Soykurt said. At the end of his remarks, Soykurt pinned a silver medal to Vantine’s lapel to signify his knighthood, which was – fittingly – attached to a purple ribbon.
Mustafa Soykurt, Consul General of France in Boston, speaks during a ceremony on March 12, 2025, which honored French Professor Peter Vantine of the Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures Department. (Photo by Sophie Burt ’26)
The ceremony featured remarks spoken in both French and English, and it drew dozens of members of the College community and the local French community, including the Burlington-Honfleur Sister City organization, of which Vantine is a member. The Honfleur Committee, on which Vantine and others connected to Saint Michael’s have served, has continued to foster cultural exchange between the College and the French town of Honfleur for almost two decades.
Professor Peter Vantine smiles at his family members as he is applauded after receiving the title of Knight in the Order of Academic Palms from the French government during a ceremony on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Sophie Burt ’26)
President of the Honfleur Sister City Committee and Honorary Consul of France to Vermont Lise Veronneau offered her own congratulations to Vantine before introducing Dana Lim vanderHeyden, Ambasadress of Honfleur to the U.S., to read a letter from residents of Honfleur on the sister committee. VanderHeyden is wife to former Saint Michael’s College President Marc vanderHeyden.
“By bestowing this ribbon, France – rightly – thanks you for all you have been doing day after day since 2011 with students, whom I imagine to be just as passionate to scatter the petals of our country’s literature, and more particularly, that of the 19th century,” vanderHeyden read from the letter, translating French to English. “This violet, a symbol of knowledge, wisdom and authority, could not have found a better teacher to flourish and develop.”
From left, Saint Michael’s College President Richard Plumb, Professor Peter Vantine, Consul General of France in Boston Mustafa Soykurt, and Saint Michael’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Gretchen Galbraith pose for a photo following the ceremony on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Sophie Burt ’26)
The event, in part, was also a celebration of Saint Michael’s continued ties to France through its founders, The Society of Saint Edmund. The Edmundites originally organized in France after the French Revolution during the 19th century. In the early 20th century, they arrived in Vermont via Canada and established Saint Michael’s College.
“Peter’s love for the people of France has cast a stream of light on our own humanity,” said Fr. Marcel Rainville, S.S.E., during his opening prayer. “For Edmundites like myself, for the entire Saint Michael’s College community, and for an untold number of others in the Vermont community, our prayer is foremost one of genuine gratitude for the generous spirit and enthusiasm Peter brings to all human concerns.”
View a photo gallery from the ceremony below.
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