Jocelyn Couture-Nowak

In English it translates to "the joy of life," which is an expression many students have used to describe French professor Jocelyn Couture-Nowak.

In fact, when John Welch, sophomore international studies major, sat down to write a eulogy for Couture-Nowak, he was worried he "wouldn't be able to adequately capture Madame's 'joie de vivre.'"

Madame, as most of her students called her, left quite an impression on the students she had in class over the years – one of energy and cheer.

"There was never a frown to be seen," said Welch, who had Couture-Nowak as an instructor for his intermediate French class.

Couture-Nowak's love for life spread into her teaching and on to her students. Many students have recalled times where her energy was contagious and spread to them.

"I had Madame my freshman year of college for intermediate French. I remember being really intimidated walking in on my first day, a little freshman in a mostly older class. But as soon as Madame waltzed in she breezed by with a 'Bonjour!' in a bright and colorful outfit and I knew right away that I would just love her class," said Lauren Morrison, a junior English literature major.

"It turned out to be two of the best semesters that I ever had at Tech. She made coming to that 10 a.m. class so much fun," Morrison said.

Couture-Nowak's love for French and teaching was nothing short of. Couture-Nowak often taught morning classes, which meant early morning for a lot of students. Somehow though, she found a way to spread her enthusiasm to her heavy-eyed pupils.

Welch said in his eulogy for Madame last Tuesday, " … no matter how tired we were from studying the night before, and how much we didn't want to get up and go to such an early class, we did, because we know that Madame would be there greeting us at the door with a bright smile on her face and a lively flash in her eyes."

That sort of energy first thing in the morning is seen rare on a college campus – especially in early morning winter classes.

"Students would come in half-asleep because class was so early, but they wouldn't stay asleep for long because she would greet you energetically at the door," said Luke Sponholz, senior chemistry major.

Couture-Nowak, known for her carefree style, often came to class in bell bottomed jeans; it was said your head turned if you saw her wearing a dress. This sort of relaxed personality and style was different from her teaching style; she took teaching French very seriously. Madame was dedicated to making sure her students left the classroom having learned something.

"Her teaching was almost frenzied because she had so much to teach with not enough time to cram in everything she wanted to teach," Sponholz said.

Couture-Nowak wanted all students to learn French because she loved the language and she wanted to pass it on, her students said. She not only wanted her students to learn the language – but the culture, too.

"We had a party at the Cranwell International Center … so that we could make traditional French crepes. She was right there with us in the kitchen singing along little French and Canadian tunes and helping us flip the crepe just right," Morrison said.

Couture-Nowak made every attempt to make her classroom more than a classroom. While she made students experience French culture, she also made the classroom feel like a family. On days that Montgomery County schools were closed, she would bring her daughter, Sylvie Couture-Nowak, a student at Blacksburg Middle School to class with her. "She made us a part of her family and we loved her for it," Welch said.

Her family, friends and students remember her for her spirit, love of nature and dedication to the preservation of her francophone heritage, but above all else her dedication to her students.

"She was not just an instructor, she was a friend," Welch said.