Awards presented at Fall 2025 Luncheon

       Jim Barry Outstanding

       Contribution to SOAR Award

                 and

       Leon LeBeau Educator Award

SOAR North Country held its fall luncheon on November 12, 2025, at Knowles Hall on the SUNY Potsdam campus. Following the buffet meal, two awards were presented to two members of the organization, recognizing their many contributions to SOAR over a number of years.

Edmund Russell, Jr. received the prestigious Jim Barry Outstanding Contribution to SOAR Award. “This award is given only occasionally and only to someone whose service rises above expectation – someone who gives not only his time and talent but also his unwavering commitment to the mission and future of SOAR,” said Alicia Walter, Chair of the Nominating and Awards Committee. Ed has been a SOAR Board member since the early years of the organization and has served in many roles. He was highly instrumental in completing SOAR’s process of incorporation and continues to pursue its future not for-profit status, thus strengthening the organization’s foundation and its future. The Board and the membership congratulate Ed and thank him for his service to SOAR.

Alicia Walter also presented Douglas Rose with the Leon LeBeau Educator Award, “an award that recognizes not only excellence in teaching but also a deep and lasting commitment to lifelong learning” she told the large audience. After retiring from SUNY Canton’s English and humanities Department in 2010, Doug returned to teaching in 2011 when he presented his first SOAR class, “The American Comic Book: An Overview.” He’s still going strong! Alicia described Doug’s enthusiasm for teaching this way: He “continues to bring us new ideas, new perspectives, and reasons to fall in love with learning.” In fact, many members are looking forward to the course he’ll be teaching in the spring, “The Battle of Leyte Gulf.” Congratulations to Doug from the SOAR Board and its members. Thank you for being a favorite presenters!

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