This lectureship was established in 2007 to honor Dennis O’Keefe, ’73, a long-time staff member of the Sojourner Truth Library, who positively impacted the lives of thousands of New Paltz students, staff, faculty and community members. Dennis also served with the New Paltz Volunteer Fire Department. The Annual Lecture, dedicated to his memory, celebrates his wide range of interests and contributions.
- “Library Services for Underserved Communities”
Odell Winfield, Founder and Board Member, A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center in Kingston (September 15, 2022) - “Looking Forward, Looking Backward: A Nation’s Expectations after Government Fails”
Nancy Kassop, Professor of Political Science, SUNY New Paltz (September 24, 2020) - “Politics Aside: Historic Sites and the Myth of Neutrality”
Liselle LaFrance, Executive Director of Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz, NY
(September 17, 2019) - “Why Read Adam Smith?”
Eugene Heath, Professor of Philosophy, SUNY New Paltz (September 20, 2018) - “Stories from the Shawangunk Frontier”
Robi Josephson, SUNY New Paltz alumna ’87 ’90g (English), local historian and author (September 14, 2017) - “Multi-Generational Leadership in Higher Education: The Unique Challenge of of Teaching, Learning and Leading in Diverse Environments”
James H. Pogue (September 15, 2016) - “The Potato and the Personal in Peru”
Linda Greenow, Professor Emerita, Geography & Latin American Studies, SUNY New Paltz (September 17, 2015) - “Out of Africa: The Contribution of Slaves to the Cuisines of the Americas”
Raymond Sokolov (September 9, 2014) - “From Editing Newspapers to Editing Books”
James H. Ottaway, Jr. (September 19, 2013) - “Seeing Satire in the Peepshow”
Dr. Reva Wolf, Professor of Art History, SUNY New Paltz (September 13, 2012) - “College and Community in New Paltz and America”
Dr. Gerald Benjamin, Director of the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach (CRREO), SUNY New Paltz (September 21, 2011) - “A Century of Weather Observation at Mohonk Lake”
Paul C. Huth, Director of Research at Mohonk Preserve (September 21, 2010) - “A Passion for Maps: Celebrating the Hudson”
Jo Margaret Mano, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, SUNY New Paltz (September 16, 2009) - “The Changing Image of Education at New Paltz, 1828-2008”
William B. Rhoads, Professor Emeritus of Art History, SUNY New Paltz (September 17, 2008) - “The Role of the University in Society”
Steven G. Poskanzer, President, SUNY New Paltz (October 23, 2007)