Celebrating “Sister Fred’s” Legacy of Compassionate Education and Cultural Connection

After more than 30 years of dedicated service, professor of French and Francophone studies Frédérique Chevillot, affectionately known as "Sister Fred" to many, is retiring from the University of Denver, leaving behind a profound legacy of compassionate education and cultural bridge-building. 

Sister Fred has served as a champion for student support, inclusivity and academic excellence, according to College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS) Interim Dean Rachel Walsh. 

“I had the privilege of witnessing her work, her magic first-hand,” she added. “Countless hours of individual meetings — many filled with laughter and joy — and an equal number of those also requiring understanding, compassion and her unwavering support.” 

What truly distinguished Sister Fred throughout her career was her student-centered approach to teaching. "I love it when my students feel passionate and manage to find their voice for what they have to say," Sister Fred said, highlighting her commitment to empowering rather than simply instructing those in her classroom. 

“Sister Fred brings out the best in every student she works with," said former student Dylan Morrison. "She taught me how to be a woman who's not afraid to take up space. I'll be forever grateful to her for that." 

Since arriving at DU in 1990, Sister Fred has believed that professors should serve as "facilitators of discovery" rather than authority figures. This philosophy transformed her classroom into a space where vulnerability, honesty and personal growth took precedence over traditional academic hierarchies. 

"To be trusted by someone who does not resemble you at all is a challenge and quite a success if you manage to get there," Sister Fred said, acknowledging the meaningful cross-cultural connections she formed with students from diverse backgrounds throughout her career. 

Her teaching methods reflect this commitment to authentic connection. Rather than rigid academic penalties, Sister Fred developed flexible approaches to deadlines, attendance and grading that recognized students' humanity. When students had not completed readings for class, she invited them to her office to complete the readings aloud rather than issuing penalties. She prompted students to do this in order for them to “hear and appreciate the musicality of the literary phrasing”. Additionally, her grading system required her students to complete self-evaluations, allowing them to recognize their strengths while identifying areas for improvement. 

Beyond teaching French language and literature, Sister Fred saw language learning as a pathway to personal transformation. She believed that learning another language provides students a new way of expressing themselves and understanding others, ultimately helping them "become a better person on behalf of many others who don't have the privileges that you have." 

Sister Fred's impact extended far beyond her classroom. After giving birth to her daughter on her first official day as an assistant professor, she worked with Naomi Reshotko, professor in the department of philosophy, and then Dean Roscoe Hill to create informal maternity arrangements. This experience inspired Sister Fred to help establish formal parental leave policies, creating a more supportive environment for faculty. 

In retirement, Sister Fred plans to continue quilting projects and experiment with new techniques, shifting from squares and rectangles to more complex triangular patterns. She also looks forward to catching up on her extensive reading list, adopting a "read-and-pass-on" philosophy to clear her shelves. Although she hopes to divide her time between the United States and France, she aims to maintain connections with the university community that has been her home for three decades. 

"Sister Fred brightens up and livens any room she enters. Her beaming smile, enthusiasm, and ability to connect with those around her are unrivaled," said colleague and friend María del Carmen Salazar, professor of curriculum & instruction and teacher education in the Morgridge College of Education. 

As colleagues celebrate her retirement, Sister Fred remains characteristically humble. She believes her greatest achievement is not measured in academic publications or professional accolades, but in the countless students who found their authentic voices under her guidance and learned that genuineness and honesty can go a long way. 

 “I am overwhelmed by the demonstration of real kindness and affection I have received,” she said.