The Journalism Education Association released the names of the 8 Lifetime Achievement Award winners for 2025 on January 30. The award recognizes retired educators of journalism for their lifelong dedication and significant contributions to journalism education. The full list of people being recognized is: Erinn Harris, Linda Jones, Mary Larson, Tamra McCarthy, Jim McCrossen, Jed Palmer, Esther Wojcicki and our very own Greg Keller.
Before his passing on December 21, 2024 after a two year battle with cancer, Keller was Lincoln High’s journalism adviser for 30 years as well as an adjunct-professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln before retiring in 2020.
Keller will be given the award posthumously.
The official JEA website credits Keller for the “deep roots he’d planted and the seeds of wisdom he’d shared,” as well as his contributions to inspiring others to see the value in story telling. The site recognized Keller as “a champion for students’ voices.”
We have much to thank Keller for from his 30 years here at Lincoln High. He started Lincoln High’s news broadcast “Links Live” as well as played many important roles for this paper such as being its advisor for many years. Keller was a role model, leader and friend to many at Lincoln High and his memory resides within many in our community.
Keller, along with the other recipients of the award will be honored at the spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Seattle from April 24 through April 26.
For more information, visit https://jea.org/news/jea-names-8-lifetime-achievement-award-winners/.
According to the Jounralism Education Association website, “The Journalism Education Association supports free and responsible scholastic journalism by providing resources and educational opportunities, by promoting professionalism, by encouraging and rewarding student excellence and teacher achievement, and by fostering an atmosphere which encompasses diversity yet builds unity.”
