French consul general welcomed

Contact: Sammy McDavid

The top French diplomat in the Southeast will visit and speak at Mississippi State Wednesday [Aug. 27].

Consul General Jean Paul Monchau, who also holds the title of trade commissioner at the French consulate in Atlanta, is visiting campus as the special guest of Melvin Ray, the university's acting vice president for research.

His tour will include the university's National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center and various agricultural teaching and research facilities.

During the afternoon, he will discuss Europe's preparation for a single currency with students and faculty in the College of Business and Industry. The program, which is open to the general public, begins at 2 p.m. in 115 McCool Hall.

The Atlanta consulate represents French interests in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee. According to consular officials, some 8,000 French nationals currently live and work in the six-state region.

Monchau, 48, has held previous diplomatic posts in Greece, Liberia, Switzerland, and in various locations within France.

For additional information on the program, telephone (601) 325-3570.