Yves Berthelot and Steve McLaughlin have been awarded the "Chevalier dans l’Ordre nationale du Merite".  It is an award presented by the President of the French Republic.  It can go to foreigners or nationals and is for distinguished civil or military achievements.  The President of the French Republic is the Grand Master of the Order and appoints all other members of the Order, by convention, on the advice of the Government.

Yves Berthelot is Director and President of the Georgia Tech Lorraine campus, which he has held since 2006 and is a professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering. Berthelot oversees administrative, operational and financial responsibilities for all research and academic programs at Georgia Tech Lorraine and coordinates operational relations with local and national institutions in France. He also plays a key role in the strategic development of Georgia Tech Lorraine, implementing a vision for its growth in collaboration with administrators and faculty in Atlanta and Europe.

Steve McLaughlin is the Ken Byers Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.  He received the B.S.E. E. degree from Northwestern University, the M.S.E. degree from Princeton University, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan. He joined the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech in September 1996 where is now Vice Provost for International Initiatives. As Vice Provost he is responsible for Georgia Tech's global engagement and is the point person for international initiatives in research, education, and economic development. He is also President of GT Global, Inc. a not-for-profit corporation recently created to manage select Georgia Tech international initiatives.