Suzanne Tubby Batra was born in New York City in 1937 and graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1956. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in zoology from Swarthmore College in 1960, followed by a PhD from the University of Kansas in 1964, where she studied the sociobiology of sweat bees under Charles D. Michener. Her research extended to solitary bees in the family Colletidae, where she investigated the chemistry of their waterproof nest-cell linings made of polyesters. She made groundbreaking contributions to entomology, notably coining the term “eusociality” to describe the highest level of social organization in insects. This concept remains fundamental in biological research today. She worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1967 until her retirement in 1999 and continues her research on bees at the Smithsonian Institution.

Aaron Gladd was born in 1986 in Saranac Lake and graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 2004. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in public law in 2008 and a master of public administration in 2010 from the University at Albany. After completing his degrees, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served for four years as a platoon leader with the 1st Cavalry Division, including a combat deployment to Afghanistan. He currently serves as the chief strategy officer and senior advisor for operations and management for the State University of New York system. His career in educational administration includes serving as chief of staff for two SUNY chancellors and as chief of staff at SUNY Empire State College. He also served as deputy director of policy in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office and began his career working for Sen. Tom Libous and Congressman Mike McNulty. Committed to lifelong learning and the power of education, he is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Harvard University, which he expects to complete in December 2024.

A dinner to honor the distinguished Saranac Lake alumni will be held at the Hotel Saranac, located on the original high school grounds, on Saturday, Nov. 9. The evening will begin with a reception and silent auction in the Great Hall from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards ceremony in the ballroom. Reservations can be made by emailing clydebaker81@gmail.com or calling Clyde at 518-570-5900. The cost is $65 per person.

Proceeds from the dinner and silent auction will support the Community Schools Project. Donations for the foundation will be accepted during the event or can be mailed to SLCS Community Schools, 79 Canaras Ave., Saranac Lake, NY 12983, Attn: Community Schools.

Suzanne Tubby Batra (Provided photo)

In its mission statement for Community Schools, the Saranac Lake Central School District states that it will develop resourceful students who are productive members of society. Additionally, the Saranac Lake Central School District is a full-service Community School in the North Country providing programming and services for all families in a systematic approach. The Community School seeks to promote collaborative leadership and practices, to offer integrated student supports, to engage the family and community actively, and to expand and to enrich learning time and opportunities.

“We define social justice as the way in which human rights are manifested in the everyday lives of our students.”