Hamilton Junior Year group

Marcel Moraud, Hamilton College. Hamilton.edu

Hamilton College in the state of New York set up headquarters for its "Junior Year Group" at Reid Hall in 1957, using the garden building for their staff and classroom. Both men and women were admitted to their program. A total of 32 students were enrolled in the program, stemming from 18 different colleges/universities, including: Hamilton but also from Williams  College (Massachusetts), Bowdoin College, Colby College and Bates College (Maine).The students, who each paid $2,200 in tuition fees for the year, were accompanied by two faculty members. In 1958-1959, they had ca. 45 students.

Marcel Ian Moraud, head of the French department, is the one who founded Hamilton's Junior Year in France and was its first administrator. James Davis, professor of French, only had words of praise for the teacher and administrator:

"Marcel Moraud was chairman of the Department of Romance Languages and Literature from 1950 to 1981 and set up the Junior Year in France program more than 25 years ago. His business acumen, common sense and wit always added a lively extra dimension to any professional or social gathering. We will remember Marcel as a bon vivant, enjoying what life had to offer and especially appreciative of his relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Marcel’s sudden death on June 11, 1982, took from us a very generous man whose jovial and kindly presence as administrator and teacher will be missed by all who knew him" (https://www.hamilton.edu/about/history/memorial-minutes/marcel-moraud)

In memory of Professor Moraud, family and friends established The Marcel Moraud Memorial Prize Scholarship. It is awarded to a French major who has returned from the Junior Year in France Program and "demonstrates academic excellence, strength of character and a sense of humor" (Hamiton.edu, financial aid and scholarships).

In 1963, James Davis, led the Hamilton College Junior Year [in France], returning eight times as head of the Hamilton group: "[...] so much were his colleagues in admiration of his meticulous organizational skills that they asked Jim to prepare a directorial handbook. With regular updatings, that sacred text has been the major guide for every administrator since (https://www.hamilton.edu/about/history/memorial-minutes/james-b-davis). The James B. Davis Travel Grant, established in his honor, covers round-trip travel between New York-Biarritz-Paris-New York.

Biarritz, vintage poster. https://myretroposter.com/products/grand-plage-biarritz

Since 1957, the students spend several days in Biarritz before beginning their studies in Paris. This tradition was initiated Marcel Moraud, who recalled the 1945 adventure of the American university campus of Biarritz. The purpose of this stay is to acclimate the students to French life and culture, to prepare them for our university and educational system. Students are housed with families, receive lessons but also engage in sports activities and excursions. In the past, they stayed for a full month, but for economic and practical reasons, they gradually shortened their sojourn.

Two students who attended the program in 2004 describe how impactful the experience was for them:

During the first month of our year in France, we the students of the Hamilton group explored the small town of Biarritz and we lived there like real French people. The transition was a bit difficult for everyone (what a jet lag!) But after a week we were comfortable in our new French life. We took conversation, civilization, grammar, and a text study course. Our teachers (who are really great!) Have understood that it is difficult to be Americans in France. We made several excursions to other towns: we visited St. Jean de Luz, another small town near the beach; Bayonne, an old Roman town; Bilbao in Spain where we visited the Guggenheim Museum, and finally the magnificent cities of Toulouse and Carcassonne. [...] Tonight, we're going to celebrate the end of our stay in Biarritz with a farewell party! We are all impatient for our departure to Paris, but Biarritz will be sorely missed. Christophe Fazio et Sarah Prusasky, 24 septembre 2004

Besides Marcel Moraud, who regularly headed the program until his untimely death in 1982 (1957-58, 1961-62, 1966-67, 1970-71, 1974-75, 1978-79), other professors, usually from Hamilton's department of French and Francophone Studies, took turns as resident directors. They ensured oversight of the academic curriculum together with the Programs Abroad Committee in consultation with the Academic Council of Hamilton College:

  • Rouben C. Cholakian, 1989-90, 1985-86, 1981-82, 1977-78, 1973-74, 1969-70, 1965-66; Professor of French, Hamilton College (1957-96)
  • James B. Davis, 1988-89, 1984-85, 1980-81, 1976-77, 1972-73, 1968-69, 1964-65, 1963-64; Professor of French, Hamilton College (1958-91)
  • Martine Guyot-Bender, 2018-19, 2014-15, 2011-12, 2007-08, 2006-07, 2001-02, 1997-98, 1992-93, Professor of French, Hamilton College; Licence Université de Metz; A.M. and Ph.D., University of Oregon
  • Franklin G. Hamlin, 1979-80, 1975-76, 1971-72, 1967-68, 1962-63, 1958-59; Professor of French, Hamilton College (1949-80)
  • Roberta L. Krueger, 2017-18, 2013-14, 2010-11, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2000-01, 1996-97, 1991-92, 1987-88, 1983-84; Professor of French, Hamilton College; A.B., Wesleyan University; A.M. and Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz
  • Cheryl A. Morgan, 2016-17, 2012-13, 2009-10, 2002-03, 1998-99, 1993-94, Professor of French, Hamilton College; A.B., Dartmouth College; M.A. Middlebury College; Ph.D., Columbia University,
  • Joseph E. Mwantuali, 2015-16, 2008-09; Professor of French, Hamilton College; B.A. and M.A., University of Zaire; M.S., Southern New Hampshire University; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University.
  • John C. O'Neal, 2003-04, 1999-2000, 1995-96, 1994-95, 1990-91, 1986-87; Professor of French, Hamilton College; A.B., Washington and Lee University; A.M., Middlebury College; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles.

In 2019-2020, Professor Alexander E. Dauge-Roth from Bates' French and Francophone Studies was elected resident director. In 1995, John O'Neal and Roberta Krueger wrote articles on their experiences directing a study abroad program, respectively, "It's Like Wearing All the Hats" and "It's Not a Sabbatical." Their words ring true even 25 years later.

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