Dr. Jean-Douglas Comeau *

From Université Sainte-Anne website, May 18, 2017:

Since 1972, Université Sainte-Anne … has carved out a reputation as one of the world’s top French-language immersion programs. In addition to earning 6 university credits, session participants gain an invaluable asset: deeper knowledge of one of Canada’s two official languages.

Key to the success of Université Sainte-Anne’s French-language immersion school was its former Dean, Dr. Jean-Douglas Comeau. After starting his career at Université Sainte-Anne in 1972 as a French-as-a-second-language instructor, his career progressed through various positions, and in 2005 he was named Dean of French-Language Immersion Schools—a position he held until his retirement in 2017. Dr. Comeau was awarded the title of Honorary Dean of the Immersion Schools during spring convocation this past May. Upon his arrival, Dr. Comeau undertook the work of building and developing a French-language immersion school which, 45 years later, is renowned as one of the world’s best schools of its kind.

Jean-Douglas Comeau was a true ambassador for the immersion program, not only locally, but also across Canada and the US. His vision and passion for French-as-a-second-language education is the primary reason for this program’s extraordinary success. He successfully created a one-of-a-kind experience that gathers language learners both young and mature, students and professionals, from across Canada and around the world.

One striking example is the over 1,000 young Louisianians who have thus far participated in the program. Time and time again, they assert that it has been the best experience of their lives, and that Université Sainte-Anne has become their second home. This feeling of belonging to the Université Sainte-Anne family is now intergenerational, with the first Louisiana participants now sending their own children to Université Sainte-Anne.

One cannot speak of the immersion school without mentioning the Petit Bois network of wooded and seaside trails located on the Church Point campus. This trail system has been built, landscaped and maintained over the years by immersion school students, and remains a location that is highly prized by students, staff, community residents and tourists alike. Jean-Douglas Comeau and the Petit Bois workshop participants pass on this invaluable legacy for future generations to Université Sainte-Anne, the community and to nature lovers around the world.

* Asterisk after a person’s name indicates that the person is deceased.