The group is part of the larger Federation of Alliances Françaises, U.S.A. located in Chicago, which is part of the 130 year-old Alliance Française, headquartered in Paris. In addition to bringing all things French to Kalamazoo, Ruoff has the opportunity to travel to Paris for her position. While attending the International Colloquium of the Alliance Française in Paris in July, Dr. Ruoff had the opportunity to meet François Hollande, President of France.
Ruoff’s interest in the French language began at a young age. When she started piano and ballet lessons, Ruoff took notice of the French titles and terminology and they intrigued her. Later, while learning about science, Ruoff drew similarities between herself and Marie Curie. Both of Polish descent, the Nobel prize recipient Curie studied in France because she could speak the French language. In college, Ruoff decided she wanted to teach French and after graduating, she moved to the Kalamazoo area and taught at Loy Norrix High School for a few years.
Wondering if there was an Alliance in the area, Ruoff did some investigating and found that the local chapter was formed in 1912, and could boast continuous activity since its establishment.
Desiring to learn more of the French Language, Ruoff enrolled in the Masters program at WMU and became a teaching assistant. She later commuted to Michigan State University to earn a Ph.D.
As her knowledge of the language expanded, Ruoff became more involved with the Alliance at the local, national, and international levels. She has been the president of the Kalamazoo Alliance for five years and had served as Vice President previously. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Alliances Françaises, the national organization which includes more than 100 Alliances.
“I became involved to maintain contact with the French language, culture, and people. When you’re teaching, it’s extremely important, and as a high school teacher, it was an easy way to be in contact, " Ruoff said.
Locally, the Kalamazoo Alliance sponsors a prize for the World Languages and Literatures Department at WMU that honors an excellent student of French, it contributes to the Fort St. Joseph archaeological project, and supports the Francophone Film Festival through a donation and attendance. The group hosts monthly events and meetings and gives francophones and francophiles in the area the opportunity to practice speaking French and to enjoy French culture.
Dr. Ruoff has been teaching French at Western Michigan University since 1980, and she firmly believes that, “In today’s world, in addition to studying a major field, it is increasingly important to have some experience in another language."
“When I started teaching, most people studying French were going to teach it. Today, many are majoring in another field, but they add a second major or a minor in French to broaden their experience and employment opportunities.”
And she’s right. French is spoken in 43 countries, second only to English (45 countries). French and English are the only two languages spoken on five continents and taught in every country, and French is widely used in Africa—a continent with increasing opportunities for both students, employees, and employers.
Dr. Ruoff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mundelein College of Loyola University of Chicago and a Doctoral degree in French Language and Literature from Michigan State University.