Recently awarded the distinguished grade of Knight of the Order of Academic Decorations, in recognition of his distinguished involvement in teaching, our Director of the Bachelor programme, Lionel Rivière, has entered into the spirit of the game in giving us an interview: portrait!

The Montpellier Business School adventure starts in 2002 with a teaching post in religious history. « It was a challenge that Didier Jourdan entrusted me with,remembers Lionel Rivière. At the time, and even more today, teaching religious history to business school students is not always well understood. » Even if the students' parents continue to wonder why the subject is taught in a business management school, understanding the history of religions is justified notably by its consequences for geopolitics today : « it really puts current events into perspective », describes the Director.

A challenge that became a huge success, since six years later Didier Jourdan proposes him the post of Director of the Bachelor Programme – Montpellier International School… which he accepts : « for the team, principally, they are extraordinary people, exemplary in everything »… One condition, though : be able to continue teaching. He admits that if he had to give up his hours of teaching for his Director's post, he would refuse. « Teaching while holding a management position enables me to remain in phase with reality, with student behaviour, with the evolution of teaching », explains Lionel Rivière.

A man of commitment

Coming from the region of Béziers, he handles head-on his job as director, that of a teacher, but also that of a reserve officer in the Foreign Legion. For when he is not at the  Montpellier Business School, Lionel Rivière returns as commanding officer to the Foreign Legion Museum in Aubagne : «I dedicate my days off and my holidays to this activity », he tells us very simply, before stating : « I like the values of the army : honour and loyalty, the sense of service and sacrifice ».
Hence the choice of an officer's career, following studies in military history. He leaves active service in 2002 for family reasons. « I remain very attached to the military institution », asserts the Director whose inspiring model is none other than Hélie de Saint Marc*. Simply passing by his office will confirm what he says. Photos of military schools and army brochures have pride of place on the walls.
The value of service is not a vain word for the Director of the Bachelor Programme : « The motto of the Academy of Specialised Staff Reserve Officers is “They educate themselves to better serve”, I try every day to apply this to my students ». And nothing impairs his availability. If you meet him in the school corridors, with a rugby shirt or a suit, don't hesitate to approach him… « My door is always open to students, with or without an appointment », he insists.

Achieving the impossible

In 1998, he starts teaching at the University of Montpellier I with a few hours of… communication : « I did it out of bravado. I knew nothing about the subject, but I had a great interest for teaching, he recalls. Yves Chirouze, professor of marketing and Dean of the Economic and Social Department at Montpellier I gave me a leg up. » Even during his officer's career, he continues to do his teaching hours thanks to obtaining a special permission.
Today, despite his unusual career path, his obtaining the grade of Knight of the Order of Academic Decorations rewards Lionel Rivière's strong implication in his post : « It gives me pleasure, it's a recognition of the work I've accomplished. All the more difficult to obtain when you work outside the National Education system. » A great success story for diversity, so dear to the Montpellier Business School.
What can we wish him for the years to come ? «Our next step is the National Education visa », states Lionel Rivière with ambition.It will enable us to distinguish the Montpellier Business School programme from that of other schools proposing a Bachelor.

*Parachute officer in the Foreign Légion and former French resistant deported to Buchenwald.


A Napoleonic award
Created in 1808 by Napoléon 1^st for university members, the Academic Decoration is extended in 1866 to people not teaching but having rendered distinguished services to education.
Today, the 14th July session rewards members of the National Education and the session in January, personalities of educational institutions, of youth services, of francophony organisations…

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