SUNY Plattsburgh Announces New College Council Appointments

Sydney "Syd" Sue Garrant of Plattsburgh replaces Dr. Soham Shankerbhai Patel, whose term had expired. Garrant's term runs through June 30, 2016.

Dr. Peter Sayles of Saranac Lake replaces council member Edward Lurie. Sayles' term expires June 30, 2011

Garrant holds her bachelor's, master's and two certificate of advance study degrees from SUNY Plattsburgh. She taught English at Beekmantown Central School from 1969 through 1986, after which she moved into that school's guidance office where she served as a guidance counselor. She became director of school counseling at Beekmantown in 1994, a position she held until her retirement in 2003.

Sayles earned an associate degree in applied science from SUNY Delhi, a bachelor's degree in chemistry from SUNY Potsdam, a master's in medical parasitology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom, and his doctorate in immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has served in a myriad of positions in the biological and immunological sciences, most recently as a member of the Trudeau Institute in Saranac Lake and as an adjunct professor at Albany Medical Center and North Country Community College.

Garrant said she has spent the majority of her career helping students make healthy choices, from the personal to the academic. As a matter of course, she has worked closely with the SUNY Plattsburgh Admissions Office, steering high school students to her alma mater when the fit was right.

"When the prospect came about that I would be considered for the College Council, I thought if I could be of any help in any way, contribute any kind of information or ideas because of my experience in guidance, I would be happy to participate," Garrant said. "As an alumna, I'm also on the other end, and I'm forever interested in how the college keeps in contact with its alumni. They are an extremely valuable resource for all kinds of information -- their college experiences, what helped in their careers, financial support of the college. When I received the call on the appointment, I was thrilled -- absolutely thrilled at the thought of being able to contribute to something I care so deeply about."

As the product of a SUNY education himself, Sayles said his success in higher education and in research is directly related to SUNY.

"A SUNY education is a good education and a good value. I subsequently worked as a researcher at the National Navel Medical Research Institute based on what I learned at Delhi and Potsdam. I was admitted to and received degrees from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, again, largely based on my experiences gained at SUNY colleges," Sayles said. "It seems I've spent most of my life in an academic setting, either as a student or an employee, and I really enjoy it. As a scientist, I hope to be a voice that promotes the study of science at SUNY Plattsburgh. It is a great honor to be associated with SUNY Plattsburgh and be a possible source of advice."

The two new members will sit in on their first College Council meeting Friday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Videoconferencing Room 416, Sibley Hall. The council will commend outgoing board members Patel and Lurie for their service, congratulate Chancellor's Award winners and hear council committee reports, among other agenda items.

In compliance with New York state's Executive Order No. 3 to provide Internet access for all public meetings, the public can watch the live Webcast of the meeting, accessible at pointers.audiovideoweb.com/asxfiles-live/va92winlive2386.asx.

The meeting is open to the public. Parking is available in the lot at the rear of Sibley Hall, accessible via George Angell Drive off Rugar Street.