Media Advisory: French Ambassador Visits UB on Wednesday, April 8

WHO: For the second time in its history, the University at Buffalo will host a sitting French ambassador, Excellency Pierre Vimont (Vee-mon), Ambassador of France to the United States.

Ambassador Vimont's party will include Ambassador Guy Yelda (Gee Yel-da), the new consul general of France to New York, Pascal Delisle, Ph.D., (De-leel) cultural attaché and director of the French Embassy's University Partnership Fund, and Pascal Soares (Sor-ez) honorary consul of France in Buffalo.

WHAT: Ambassador Vimont will present the public lecture: "The United States and France and the Renewal of Transatlantic Relations," in which he will discuss the changing nature of relations between the two nations over the past several years.

Vimont will be available for media questions after the lecture.

Stephen Dunnett, Ph.D., vice provost for international education at UB, and UB's Jean-Jacques Thomas, (Jun-Jock Toe-mahs), Melodia Jones Chair in French, will be available for interviews about the ambassador's visit to UB.

WHEN: Tomorrow (Wednesday, April 8) at 3 p.m.

WHERE: Drama Theatre, Center for the Arts, UB North Campus, which will be Web-streamed to groups across Western New York.

Note: Prior to the lecture, Ambassador Vimont will visit two UB library exhibits mounted in honor of his visit:

"Marshall, Jones and Park: French History and Culture and the University at Buffalo," Rare Book Research Room, 420 Capen Hall, honors the distinguished scholars who preserve and perpetuate the study of French language and literatures at UB.

"The Julian Park Collection: Rare Books Portray French History and Culture," Foyer, second floor, of Lockwood Library on UB's North Campus, will present the extraordinary collection of Julian Park, son of Roswell Park and founding dean of the UB College of Arts and Sciences.

Media contact: Patricia Donovan, University Communications, at 716-628-0604 and on site.