Elizabeth A. “Betty” Kopra, a longtime UB employee and retired assistant vice president for sponsored programs, died May 6.

Kopra started her career with New York State after her high school graduation, taking a job as a clerical worker at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. She moved to UB in 1964, working on the South Campus in a senior supervisory clerical position in University Facilities. While there she earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA.

In 1975, she took a professional staff position in the University Budget Office, and the next year was appointed director of the Payroll Office. Later, she was named director of the Office of Grants and Contracts.

Kopra was promoted to assistant vice president for sponsored programs in 1986, overseeing all of the SUNY Research Foundation business offices at UB.

She retired from state service at UB in 1997, then returned to work for nearly four more years for the Research Foundation.

Donations in Kopra’s memory may be made to the SPCA of Western New York and Hospice Buffalo.