Donald Garrant Appointed Chair of the Plattsburgh State College Council

Garrant, who was first appointed to the College Council in September 2002, replaces Robert M. Garrow, a 1952 Plattsburgh State alumnus who served as chair of the council for nearly 18 years.

Garrant said, "I welcome the opportunity of chairing the college council during the next several years and assisting President John Ettling, the faculty and staff in their goal of ensuring that SUNY Plattsburgh remains as one of the top comprehensive colleges within the State University of New York system.

"I have been associated with the college for nearly 50 years as a student, administrator and member of the college council. I thank Gov. Pataki for this new opportunity which he has given me to further serve my alma mater."

Garrant said it was also an exciting time at the college. He added that he looked forward to working with President Ettling, Nancy Dailey (the new vice president for institutional advancement) and the other members of the senior administration.
President Ettling said he was pleased with the appointment of Garrant as the next college council chair.

"Don has been a dedicated and loyal member of the college community for half a century. He has always put SUNY Plattsburgh first, and I look forward to working with him in his new role."

Garrant joined the college administrative staff under President George Angell in August 1960 as director of public information. Promoted to assistant to the president for college relations in 1968, he served in that capacity until he was named executive assistant to the president for college relations and development in 1988.

Ten years later, he was named vice president for institutional advancement, a position he held until his retirement in 1999. Garrant also helped establish the Plattsburgh College Foundation, the college's fund-raising program, and served as its first executive director.

Garrant has been active in community affairs in the Plattsburgh area for many years. He was appointed to the board of directors of the Plattsburgh Air Base Redevelopment Corporation in 2001.

He served on the Clinton County Legislature from 1974 until 2000 and was chairperson for eight years. He served as the New York State representative to the Lake Champlain Management Committee for four years, and was a member of the New York State Senate Advisory Committee for Higher Education for four years as well.

A past president of the Plattsburgh Board of Education, Plattsburgh and Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and the Plattsburgh Jaycees, Garrant has received numerous awards including the Distinguished Service Award from SUNY Plattsburgh.
He has served on the Clinton County United Way, Clinton-Essex Chapter of the American Heart Association and the Clinton County Youth Bureau to name just a few.

Garrant earned a bachelor's degree in 1957 and a master's degree in 1959, both from SUNY Plattsburgh. He and his wife, Mary, have four children and nine grandchildren and reside in Plattsburgh.

-- 30 --