LEWISTON — Bernard Fortier, of Lewiston, a member of the Class of 1979, has been honored by the Bowdoin College Alumni Council with one of two 2015 Distinguished Educator Awards.

The award was established in 1964 to recognize outstanding achievement in education (teaching or administration) by a Bowdoin alumnus or alumna in any field and at any level of education.

Fortier, a European history major who graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, is now in his 24th year at Lewiston High School, where he enthusiastically teaches Latin, sometimes using song, dance and even costumes to engage his students. Fortier’s passion is contagious; the school’s Latin program has grown from 30 students to more than 200.

The Distinguished Educator Awards will be presented Saturday, May 30, during Reunion Convocation.