Louise Leonard was a magna cum laude graduate of Smith College, earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from that institution. She also engaged in additional study at other colleges, including Columbia University and abroad at the University of Grenoble and the Sorbonne. A native of Bangor, Maine, Miss Leonard came to Hood in 1926 as an instructor in French. She also intermittently taught Italian prior to 1950. By the time she retired in 1970, Miss Leonard had risen to the rank of associate professor of modern languages. At the completion of her tenure at Hood, she was granted emeriti status made an honorary member of the College’s Alumnae Association. Shortly before her retirement, former students of Miss Leonard endowed a prize fund in her name to express their appreciation for her passion, guidance, influence, and inspiration. Miss Leonard died August 26, 1996. A bequest from her estate established an endowed fund in support of the study of foreign languages and cultures and continues to benefit faculty and students today.
