Lafayette, nous voilà!
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The 2026–2027 Lafayette Scholars at the Louvre, with the Mona Lisa in the background.
By Dorothea de La Houssaye
I was privileged to join the first cohort of Lafayette Scholars (2026–2027), alongside Mohamed Bouabdallah, Cultural Counselor of France in the United States and Director of Villa Albertine, at Versailles and again yesterday at the Fondation Cartier and the Louvre.
The American Friends of Blérancourt supported the first scholarship, largely underwritten by a grant from the Strauss Family Office, for which we are deeply grateful. Students from 22 states will spend a full academic year studying at universities throughout France.
At the Fondation Cartier, we had a guided tour and the opportunity to meet its director, Chris Dercon, who spoke with the students about the role and importance of museums and art collections, as well as new ways of interacting with works of art through the architecture of museum buildings.
The Fondation Cartier has an impressive new location opposite the Louvre, with flexible spaces and elevations designed by Jean Nouvel. Floors can be raised and lowered, allowing artworks to be viewed from different angles.
The Louvre welcomed the scholars on its weekly closure day, a rare privilege usually reserved for heads of state and donors. It was an amazing experience to wander privately through the galleries and get very close to some of the world’s most famous works of art, including the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Mona Lisa.
After the visit, there was an intimate gathering with the museum’s director, Christophe Leribault, who shared key figures about the Louvre, the most visited museum in the world, and discussed the important project for a new entrance plaza and park on the opposite side of the Louvre from the Pyramid plaza. He spoke about the challenges facing the Louvre and its vision for the future.
The American Friends of Blérancourt intend to continue supporting the Lafayette Scholarship as part of our annual programs.
Reporting from Paris,
Dorothea de La Houssaye
President of American Friends of Blérancourt
About the Lafayette Fellowship:
Established under the High Patronage of the President of the French Republic, the Lafayette Fellowship reflects France’s long-standing commitment to strengthening ties with the United States through education, leadership, and intellectual exchange. The Lafayette Fellowship was created to celebrate the 250th anniversary of French-American friendship and to build a powerful community of American changemakers who will help shape the future of transatlantic cooperation. Each year, a class of 30 outstanding American post-graduate students is selected to pursue one year of a fully funded master’s degree study at one of France’s top universities and grandes écoles.
The Lafayette Fellowship is built on four pillars:
A high-caliber academic program with comprehensive financial support
A tailored leadership program
A mentoring program
A Lafayette Fellows alumni network
Lafayette Laureates (2026-2027):
Catherine Alexander:
From Columbia University, Major in French and Political Science
→ To PSL-École nationale des Chartes, Visiting Student in the program ÉruditionOlivia Cannizzaro:
From Kalamazoo College, Major in Chemistry
→ To Université Paris Cité, Master in Biomedical EngineeringBraeden Carroll:
From Princeton University, Major in Civil and Environmental Engineering
→ To École polytechnique, Master in Energy Environment ScienceTechnology and ManagementAmber Cecil:
From University of Mississippi, Major in Engineering
→ To Université Grenoble Alpes, Master in NanomedicineStella Choi:
From Yale University, Major in Cognitive Science
→ To PSL-Paris School of AI, Master in Artificial Intelligence and SocietyEva Frazier:
From Harvard University, Major in Social Studies
→ To University of Strasbourg, Master in Human Rights LawDaniel Freedman:
From University of Virginia, Major in Systems Engineering
→ To Sciences Po Climate School, Master in Ecological Transition, Risks, and GovernanceGrace Galvez:
From Oral Roberts University, Major in Business and International Relations
→ To Université Paris Dauphine, Master in International BusinessJaxon Gonzales:
From Stanford University, Major in Economics
→ To HEC Paris, Master in International BusinessJuni Holtgrewe:
From University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Major in French and Linguistics
→ To University of Strasbourg, Master in Science PolitiqueZachary Hom:
From Tulane University, Major in Environmental Sciences and Computer Science
→ To Université Paris Saclay, Master in Electrical EngineeringMatthieu Huy:
From University of California, Santa Barbara, Major in Economics and Environmental Studies
→ To Toulouse School of Economics, Master in Public Policy and Development/Applied EconomicsHunter Jung:
From University of Washington - Seattle, Major in French and Neuroscience
→ To Université Paris Cité, Master in Cognitive ScienceJeremy Kamman:
From Kansas State University, Major in Physics and International & Area Studies
→ To Aix-Marseille University, Master in Fundamental Physics and ApplicationsKatherine Kirchdorfer:
From Washington University in St. Louis, Major in Finance and Management
→ To Sciences Po Climate School, Master in Ecological Transition, Risks, and GovernanceEnri Lala:
From University of California, Santa Barbara, Major in History and Global Studies
→ To University of Strasbourg, Master in International RelationsHenry Lear:
From Harvard University, Major in History and Literature
→ To PSL-Paris Malaquais School of Architecture, Visiting Scholar in Urbanism and ArchitectureErnest Leong:
From University of Chicago, Major in French & Francophone Studies
→ To ENS de Lyon, Master en Lettres ModernesIsabella Long:
From Tufts University-Fletcher School, Major in Public Health
→ To University of Bordeaux, Master in Law for InnovationAC (Anna Claude) Manning:
From Smith College, Major in Comparative World Literatures
→ To Université Grenoble Alpes, Master Urbanisme et AménagementCole McCallum:
From University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Major in Aerospace Engineering and Physics
→ To ISAE SUPAERO, Master in Aerospace EngineeringJosephine O’Brien:
From Columbia University, Major in Medical Humanities
→ To ENS de Lyon, Master en Logique, Histoire et Philosophie des Sciences et des TechnologiesGarry Piepenbrock:
From Stanford University, Major in Economics and Political Science
→ To PSL-École Normale Supérieure, Master in Analysis and Policy EconomicsParis Rosen:
From University of Pennsylvania, Major in Urban Studies
→ To Université Côte d’Azur, Master in Engineering for Smart CitiesElisabetta Savini:
From University of West Florida, Major in Environmental Science
→ To Université Côte d’Azur, Master in Environmental Hazards and Risks ManagementGabrielle Scales:
From Spelman College, Major in Biology
→ To University of Bordeaux, Master in Cancer BiologyAlexander Shin:
From Rice University, Major in Philosophy
→ To Sorbonne Université, Master de Philosophie en Esthétique et Philosophie de l’artBenjamin Sindell:
From Middlebury College, Major in Architecture and Political Science
→ To PSL-École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, Visiting StudentAna Vallejo:
From The University of Texas San Antonio, Major in Psychology and Neuroscience
→ To Aix-Marseille University, Master in NeurosciencesSophia Young:
From University of California - Berkeley, Major in Cognitive Science
→ To PSL-Paris School of AI, Master in Artificial Intelligence and Society
