Tuesday, April 16, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam has honored Darrel J. Aubertine with its 2011 Roger B. Linden Distinguished Service Award, the highest award given by the college. It is bestowed upon an individual or …
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POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam has honored Darrel J. Aubertine with its 2011 Roger B. Linden Distinguished Service Award, the highest award given by the college.
It is bestowed upon an individual or individuals who have demonstrated steadfast support for SUNY Potsdam and the region through their leadership, advocacy, stewardship and service.
The former state assemblyman, senator and current state agriculture commissioner was given the award at a reception hosted recently at President John Schwaller's house .
Aubertine's dedication to the North Country began in childhood on the family dairy farm he still owns today. From his work at the Cape Vincent Triple-A Aubertine Farm, where nine generations of his family have lived, he went on to run for a seat first on the Cape Vincent Town Council, and then in the Jefferson County Board of Legislators. Aubertine served his community there for six years, going on to become chairman.
In 2002 when he was elected to the state Assembly as the first Democrat to represent Jefferson County in more than 90 years. Six years later, he won a seat in the state Senate, the first Democrat to represent Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Oswego counties since 1880. During his time as a state lawmaker, he championed farmers and small business owners and fought to ensure that upstate needs were not forgotten.
SUNY Potsdam says it is grateful for his support of funding for the college's energy-efficient combined heat and power cogeneration plant.
Aubertine leads the state's Department of Agriculture and Markets, the top agriculture official in Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration.
Aubertine is sharing the 2011 award with another longtime North Country elected official who was also appointed to a prominent statewide position. Dierdre Scozzafava was given her Roger B. Linden Distinguished Service Award during the college's commencement celebration.
As Aubertine was unable to attend the Bachelor's Commencement Ceremony, the college decided to honor him during its annual Business Donor Reception at the president's house instead.
