LPS honors former superintendent Steve Joel with building dedication

Lincoln Public Schools held a special ceremony to celebrate the renaming of its district office after former Superintendent Steve Joel on Oct. 27. The celebration comes after the installation of new signage bearing the longtime educator’s name.

“I am deeply honored that you’d name this after myself and our family, but the reality of it is we accept it on the behalf of the people in Lincoln and the people in this school district. We hire all stars and they become hall of famers,” Steve Joel said. 

“This is where everyone comes to get what they need to provide services to the kids and that starts with great leadership,” Board Member Kathy Danek said. 

This past June, the Lincoln Board of Education voted to rename the LPS District Office to the Steve Joel District Leadership Center to honor Joel’s legacy. Joel retired from LPS this past summer after 12 years of service in Lincoln. 

“It is a very difficult job following someone with the skills, qualities and characteristics of Steve Joel, but it’s an honor to do it,”  Superintendent Paul Gausman said. 

Colleagues, friends and family joined Joel during the building dedication. They thanked him for his vision, leadership and commitment to LPS students even through hardships such as the  COVID-19 pandemic and the fire that destroyed the district office on May 30, 2011. 

“Thinking back on the fire, Steve transformed our single biggest tragedy into a rallying cry for our staff and our community. With their support, we built stronger and taller. Now, this building that bears his name stands proudly on O Street. A symbol of the indomitable spirit of the people who work here doing the best for our children every single day,” Board President Don Mayhew added. 

 

Take a look at some highlights from the building dedication. 

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