Jane M. Robert, Chair

Jane M. Robert now serves as President of Renaissance Française – USA, a national Delegation charged by Renaissance Française in France with the mission of encouraging the appreciation of French language and cultures, principally through the awarding of medals as established in France in 1916. Ms. Robert serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of the College of Arts and Sciences of Webster University in St. Louis, as well as on their Swiss Foundation in Geneva. In addition to remaining active with various local groups and boards, Ms. Robert served as national President of the Federation of Alliances Françaises, USA, from 2001 – 2006, followed by the Presidency of Saint Louis-Lyon Sister Cities, Inc from 2006 – 2009. She also served as President of the Alliance Française de St. Louis 1999 – 2003.  

A new initiative includes serving on the founding Board of the St. Louis Language Immersion Schools in the city of St. Louis, with the target languages of French or Spanish.

Ms. Robert received her Master’s degree in French Language and Literature from Missouri University at Columbia, Missouri, in 1973, her Diplôme de langue et de civilization from la Sorbonne in Paris in 1968 and her BA in French Language and Literature from Webster University in St. Louis in 1969. Her career included teaching French at all levels from elementary through university as well as sponsoring many student exchanges and other educational activities.

The Federation of Alliances Françaises – USA selected Ms. Robert to receive The Charbonnier Award in 2006.  The city of St. Louis and St. Louis County, as well as Webster University have honored Ms. Robert for active leadership in St. Louis, including naming her Global Ambassador by the World Trade Center – St. Louis in 2008. In 2007, the French government awarded her its highest distinction: the French Legion of Honor. L'Ordre des Palmes Académiques bestowed knighthood on Robert in 1998; in May 2012, she was made an officer in the organization.  Jane and Bruce Robert received the gold medal of La Renaissance Française in October 2011 during a ceremony at the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie in Paris. The medal recognizes "eminent and exceptional service" in the promotion of French culture.

In December 2010, Ms. Robert and her husband, Bruce, established the Jane M. and Bruce P. Robert Professorship in French and Francophone Studies with a $1 million gift to Webster University. It is the first endowed professorship in the university's history.

Jane and Bruce Robert have a grown son, Patrick, all living in St. Louis.