A Purdue University professor has been recognized by France as an officer of the French Legion of Honor.

Arden L. Bement Jr. received the "Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur" on Thursday at the residence of the Ambassador of France in Washington, D.C., according to a Purdue announcement today. Bement is director of Purdue's Global Policy Research Institute and a nuclear engineering professor.

The award, created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, is France's most prestigious distinction and recognizes military, cultural, scientific or social contributions to France.

"I am humbled by this recognition, and this reminds me of all the wonderful colleagues, scientists and students I have had the opportunity to work with over the years," Bement said. "I am fortunate that I have been able to share my passion for science with students in the classroom, as well as government officials and leading scientists around the world."

Bement was appointed director of the National Science Foundation in 2004 by President George W. Bush.

According to Purdue, as part of the White House's American Competitiveness Initiative in 2006, he guided initiatives that supported the training of the U.S. workforce to operate in a high-tech global economy.

Bement returned to Purdue in 2010 to lead the new Global Policy Research Institute.

The institute focuses on the university's strengths in science, information technology, data management and systems engineering in collaboration with economics and the social sciences to inform policymakers about critical issues such as poverty and climate change.

He joined the Purdue faculty in 1992 after a 39-year career in industry, government and academia. From 1989-1995, Bement also served on the National Science Board, the 24-member policy body for National Science Foundation and adviser to the president and Congress on science and engineering issues.