Wandering the cobblestone streets of France, surrounded by magnificent music and art, UQ French students have been given the opportunity of a lifetime, all thanks to the enduring bequest of UQ alum — Dorothy Marsden.
A beloved French teacher, Dorothy Marsden was an extraordinary woman in many ways.
Graduating from UQ in 1939, she taught at Ipswich Girls Grammar (IGGS) for 42 years and lived to the remarkable age of 101.
Known for greeting each class with “Bonjour, mes élèves” – she transported her students to a world of grand châteaux, romantic cities, and renaissance art.
Her passion inspired her students to develop a life-long love of French culture and language, and now, will inspire the next generation of French students at UQ.
Dorothy generously included a gift in her Will to the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (Formerly, Faculty of Arts) which inspired the UQ French discipline to use the donation as seed funding for the UQ French Language Legacy Prize.
This endowed prize provides transformative opportunities for French students, including study abroad, internships, and conferences. Thanks to this ongoing support, talented students will continue to benefit from these valuable experiences for generations to come.
The inaugural prize winner announced
In 2025, Eve Maskell became the inaugural recipient of the UQ French Language Legacy Prize. Eve is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Diploma in Languages (French).
Honoured by the recognition, Eve has been inspired to continue her language learning.
“Winning this prize is a great encouragement for me to continue studying French, and a reminder that language learning opens doors and leads to wonderful opportunities,” Eve said.
One such opportunity is the chance for Eve to travel to France and undertake an overseas exchange in the charming city of Rennes—an experience made possible by the prize.
It is one thing to learn French in a classroom, it is another to converse with the locals in a quaint village, to immerse yourself in their culture, food and art.
Reflecting on her time at university, Eve highlights the roles of her studies in building her passion for the French language.
“I have enjoyed studying the French language at UQ through an exploration of French film, history, culture, and literature,” Eve said.
Throughout her time at UQ Eve has also enjoyed connecting with like-minded students through the UQ French Society, “Joining the UQ French Society and meeting other students with a similar passion for French has also contributed to a well-rounded and fun learning experience.”
As she prepares for her overseas exchange, Eve is excited to continue Dorothy’s legacy in celebrating French language and culture, “Thanks to the support of those who share the same passion for French, I will continue to carry this with me throughout this experience.”
Create a lasting legacy
Charitable giving creates genuine impact, enriching lives and nurturing a life-long love of art, language and culture.
Few examples illustrate this more beautifully than the life and influence of Dorothy Marsden a beloved French Language teacher.
Former IGGS student Penelope Barrett reflected on how she was one of those teachers you remember for the rest of your life.
"Thank you for your knowledge and passion for all things French - you most certainly leave your amazing spirit with those of us who were lucky enough to have known you.”
Another past student of hers, Jill Barker is grateful for how Dorothy helped inspire her, “Her annual slide show of 'castles of the Loire' stands out in my mind.”
Thanks to the UQ Language Legacy Prize, generations of future students will continue to share in Dorothy’s legacy and love of French language and culture.
If you have ever been inspired by the joy of learning a language or the impact of a remarkable teacher, you like Dorothy can create a life-changing legacy that creates lasting impact by including a gift in your Will.
For more information, contact Advancement via giftsinwills@uq.edu.au
