French Republic Knights Professor Ravichandran

G. Ravichandran, John E. Goode, Jr. Professor of Aerospace and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Director of the Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT) has been selected to receive the Chevalier de l'ordre des Palmes Académiques, which is the Knight grade of the French Republic's Order of Academic Palms. Founded by Napoleon in 1808 to honor educators and scholars,  this distinction recognizes eminent personalities who have made significant contributions to the development of French culture, science, and education. 

The Chevalier de l'ordre des Palmes Académiques, was originally created by Napoleon Bonaparte to reward service to French universities and academies. In 1955, Charles de Gaulle broadened the mandate to include researching, teaching, and disseminating knowledge of the French culture around the world.

The Ordre des palmes académiques comprises of three grades: Commandeur (Commander — medallion worn on necklet), Officier (Officer — medallion worn on ribbon with rosette on left breast), and  Chevalier (Knight — medallion worn on ribbon on left breast).  It is one of the world’s oldest orders, still in existence, and in distinction the Order of Academic Palms comes right after the honors such as the Legion of Honor and the Order of the Liberation. Charles Elachi and Jean-Lou Chameau are past recipients of the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur.