The family and friends of John and Dianne Koplas established this lecture series in cooperation with Lockport Public Library to honor the Koplases' devotion to teaching and to celebrate their lifelong passion for learning.

The Koplas family would like to express their appreciation for all the contributions which established this lecture series. To learn how you can support this memorial, please contact the library at 716-433-5935.

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

Dianne and John Koplas

Life-long educators John Koplas and Dianne Cooper met at Lockport High School in 1959. Along with raising their family, John teaching almost 30 years at the high school, and Dianne returning for nearly a decade at North Park, the couple spent the remainder of their lives sharing their passion for knowledge with their students, children, grandchildren, and everyone they encountered within the Lockport community and beyond. They also had an ever-present appreciation for the world around them, were students of the global community, and traveled extensively--including throughout the USA, Europe, and Russia--to heighten that appreciation. Whether imparting structured lessons in a formal classroom, leading discussion groups at the Lockport Public Library or the Kenan Center, ushering school groups through the History Center, acting as a docent for the Tiffany Windows at the First Presbyterian Church, or coordinating the Step Back in Time Historical Players, John and Dianne could always be recognized as educators first and foremost. John and Dianne's standards of excellence and love of teaching and learning leave a valuable legacy not only for their students, but also their family, friends, and the entire Lockport community.

Past lectures:

• August 2023: Karen & Pete D'Angelo, "Where You Invest Your Love, You Invest Your Life"
• July 2022: Kim Alexis, "The Battle Within"
• September 2021: Brian Lasher, "The Overwhelming Power of Narrative."
• June 2018: Ron Franco, "HERA: NASA's Human Exploration Research Analog, a 30-day, Deep-space Simulation."
• June 2017: Dr. Clifton Ganyard, "The Proper Study of Mankind ... is Man."
• May 2016: Jack DiMaggio, "Imprints Behind the Smile."
• May 2015: Cynthia Cotten, "Caledonia: Coming Home."
• May 2014: Dr. Helen Cappuccino, "Service as a Life's Mission."
• May 2013: Christopher Haber, "Stories and Choices: A Producer's Life in Africa."
• May 2012: Joanna Pasceri, "My Journey from Lockport High School to the Anchor Desk."
• May 2011: Rae Tyson, author of Kidsafe.
• October 2009: Joyce Carol Oates, author.