Lockport Public Library | John S. Koplas Memorial Lecture Series

John S. Koplas Memorial Lecture Series

The family and friends of John Koplas established this Memorial Lecture Series through the Lockport Public Library to honor his devotion to teaching and to celebrate his lifelong passion for learning.

The family would like to express its appreciation for all contributions which established the John S. Koplas lecture series. For continued support of this memorial, please contact the Lockport Public Library.

Thank you for your support of the Library and its programs.

JOHN KOPLAS graduated from Niagara University with a B.A. in accounting and a M.A. in English. He taught at Lockport High School from 1959 until 1987, and his love for the written word was evident in both his English classes and his personal collection of books. He helped found the Lockport Schools Federal Credit Union, where he remained active on the organization's Board of Directors.

After retirement, Koplas was still actively teaching literature courses at Niagara University, Niagara County Community College, and local community classes at Kenan Center and the Lockport Public Library. Koplas was not only a beloved teacher, he was also a student of the global community who never passed up a chance to travel. His travels include a sabbatical year spent in Canterbury, England, numerous Elderhostel programs, and trips to Europe. His standard of excellence and love of teaching and learning leave a valuable legacy not only for his students but also to his family, friends, and the Lockport community.

Past lectures:

May 2013: Christopher Haber, Lockport native, "Stories and Choices: A Producer's Life in Africa."

May 2012: Joanna Pasceri, Lockport native and co-anchor of Channel 7's Eyewitness News, "My Journey from Lockport High School to the Anchor Desk."

May 2011: Rae Tyson, author of "Kidsafe," a book published by Random House that was designed to help parents understand the environmental risks affecting children. Tyson is a 1962 graduate of Lockport Senior High School and has worked at Wilson Central School, Artpark, Niagara Gazette, USA Today, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

October 2009: Joyce Carol Oates, one of our country's most prolific and versatile contemporary writers. With a writing career that spans 25 years, she is the author of more than 70 books, including novels, short story collections, poetry volumes, plays, literary criticism, and essays.
Selected works by Joyce Carol Oates