François Tavenas, OQ (12 September 1942 – 13 February 2004) was a Canadian engineer and academic.
Born in Bourg-de-Péage, Drôme, France, he received an engineering degree in civil engineering from Institut national des sciences appliquées de Lyon in 1963 and a doctorate with specialization in soil mechanics in 1965 from the Université de Grenoble. In 1968, he moved to Canada to become a lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at Université Laval. A Canadian citizen since 15 July 1971, he became an assistant professor in 1970, an associate professor in 1973, and a professor in 1978. He was the dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering from 1985 to 1989.
From 1989 to 1990, he was the vice-principal (Planning and Computing) at McGill University. From 1990 to 1997, he was the Vice-Principal (Planning and Resources) at McGill University. From 1995 to 1997, he was the acting vice-principal (Macdonald Campus). As well, he was a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics. In 1997, he was appointed the rector of Université Laval and a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and in 2003 left to become the founding rector of the Université du Luxembourg.
Honours
- 1991 Elected as a fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada.
- 1999 Made a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor.
- 2002 Awarded the Commander's Cross (Komturkreuz) of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- 2004 Made an officer of the National Order of Quebec.
References
| Preceded byMichel Gervais | Rector of Université Laval 1997–2002 |
Succeeded byMichel Pigeon |
| Preceded byFounding Rector | Rector of University of Luxembourg 2003–2004 |
Succeeded byRolf Tarrach |
- 1942 births
- 2004 deaths
- People from Bourg-de-Péage
- Canadian academics in engineering
- Canadian university and college vice-presidents
- Academic staff of McGill University
- Academic staff of the University of Luxembourg
- Academic staff of Université Laval
- Rectors of Université Laval
- Fellows of the Engineering Institute of Canada
- Knights of the Legion of Honour
- Officers of the National Order of Quebec
- Commanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany