Miss Lord (22) did not study French at secondary school and was a beginner when she started studying the language at Otago University, only four years ago.
But, since then, she has gained two rare distinctions.
Last week, as the university's top French language and culture student for last year, she received a ''very impressive'' medal for excellence and a certificate from the French Embassy, through Dunedin's honorary French consul Christiane Leurquin.
Dr Duffy, a senior lecturer in French at the Otago department of languages and cultures, says Miss Lord was ''undoubtedly the best student'' she had taught in her 33-year teaching career at Otago.
Dr Duffy had taught her in five French papers over the years. She was ''top student in every one'' and was also her ''swansong'' student, the last she would teach at the university.
As result of the humanities cuts, Dr Duffy had decided to take voluntary severance, effective at the end of this month.
To have been able to teach Miss Lord was ''the best end-of-career present I could possibly wish for''.
Miss Lord was not only talented but was also a ''great young woman'', who was big-hearted and good-natured and had a ''great sense of humour''.
She had last year completed a BSc in economics and a BA in French and had achieved ''phenomenal results in her studies in both economics and French''.
Last year, Miss Lord had been the top Otago undergraduate student in humanities, and also won leading economics prizes.
Miss Lord's father is Dunedin city councillor Mike Lord.
She has been taking a break from her studies this year and undertaking some university tutoring.
She was likely to undertake French honours study next year. She paid tribute to Dr Duffy's teaching which had been ''absolutely an inspiration'', and had also included plenty of practical help and advice.
