François Tavenas

François Tavenas, (12 September 1942 – 13 February 2004) was a Canadian engineer and academic.

Born in Bourg-de-Péage, Drôme, France, he received an engineering degree in civil engineering from Institut national des sciences appliquées de Lyon in 1963 and a doctorate with specialization in soil mechanics in 1965 from the Université de Grenoble. In 1968, he moved to Canada to become a lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering at Université Laval. A Canadian citizen since 15 July 1971, he became an assistant professor in 1970, an associate professor in 1973, and a professor in 1978. He was the dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering from 1985 to 1989.

From 1989 to 1990, he was the vice-principal (Planning and Computing) at McGill University. From 1990 to 1997, he was the Vice-Principal (Planning and Resources) at McGill University. From 1995 to 1997, he was the acting vice-principal (Macdonald Campus). As well, he was a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics. In 1997, he was appointed the rector of Université Laval and a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and in 2003 left to become the founding rector of the Université du Luxembourg.

Honours 1991 Elected as a fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada. 1999 Made a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. 2002 Awarded the Commander's Cross (Komturkreuz) of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. 2004 Made an officer of the National Order of Quebec.