Mark Manske ’82 & ’87 of Dickinson Center, N.Y., Presented with St. Lawrence Academy Medal by SUNY Potsdam School of Education Alumni Association
The SUNY Potsdam School of Education Alumni Association recently honored Mark Manske ’82 & ’87 of Dickinson Center, N.Y., with the 2019 St. Lawrence Academy Medal, during the College’s Reunion Weekend.
The St. Lawrence Academy Medal is presented to a SUNY Potsdam graduate who has made significant contributions to the field of professional education or related fields. The Alumni Association recognized Manske for his outstanding professional achievements as an educator, researcher and author. Now a wildlife rehabilitator and educator, Manske educates the community about birds of prey, as the owner of Adirondack Raptors.
About the recipient:
Throughout 27 years as a public school teacher, five years as an adjunct professor, five years as a researcher and wildlife educator, and now having authored several scholarly articles and a recent book for middle school students, Mark Manske ’82 & ’87 has always been a truly gifted teacher.
After earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at SUNY Potsdam, Manske taught biology at three North Country school districts. He was known for his hands-on approach to teaching, posing questions of students and inspiring them to figure out answers in their own way. He either took students out of the classroom and into real-life situations, or he brought the outside world into his classroom, where he then set the wheels in motion for real learning.
One of his school principals recalled a time when Manske asked to use the elementary gymnasium during the winter months. She was amazed to discover that he was using the gym to re-teach an injured owl to fly. Another of his teaching units featured a “bird-a-thon” competition between student teams, complete with a chaperone and driver, to identify the most birds of prey in an afternoon. Besides learning an important biology lesson, students also learned teamwork, self-discipline and time management.
Although he is now retired from school teaching, Manske continues to educate the general public about birds of prey through his business, Adirondack Raptors Inc. He works diligently to introduce people to the raptors in Northern New York, giving his audiences the opportunity to “meet” bird of prey, learn a bit about each species, and become comfortable around them. Manske is also continuing his field research, banding between 200 and 500 birds each year, including anywhere from four to 10 species. In 2012, Manske was the recipient of the John J. Elliot Award from the New York State Ornithological Society.
Manske is author of the book “Adventures with Stoney: The Great Snowy Owl Caper,” and he is working on a second book that will take place in Potsdam. He also writes a bi-monthly column for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
To read more about Manske’s unique life as the owner of Adirondack Raptors, visit https://www.potsdam.edu/alumni-friends/alumni-spotlight/mark-manske-82-day-life.
The St. Lawrence Academy Medal is named for the predecessor institution to The State University of New York at Potsdam. Founded in 1816, the Academy focused on teacher training from its founding—a tradition that continues to the present day with the rigorous liberal arts and sciences foundation offered at SUNY Potsdam.
To find out more about education at SUNY Potsdam, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/soeps.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.