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Education advocates will make Rock County Hall of Fame

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John W. Eyster

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Judith A. Kneece

JANESVILLE — They have dedicated themselves to making government accessible to the public.

Now Rock County wants to say, “Thank you.”

The Rock County Board on Thursday night voted to induct Judi Kneece and John Eyster into the Rock County Hall of Fame.

Kneece is well known as the first—and so far the only—manager of Janesville Community Access TV.

Eyster is a retired Parker High School teacher who is well known for creating the Washington Seminar, a political science class that involves a weeklong field trip to Washington, D.C.

An induction ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at UW-Rock County, 2909 Kellogg Ave., Janesville.

The Rock County Hall of Honor was created in 1982. Eyster and Kneece will be the 54th and 55th inductees.

Here are some of Eyster and Kneece’s accomplishments, according to their nomination papers.

Eyster

Say thanks to Eyster if you or your child has taken an advanced placement government class in Janesville.

“He has helped many young people to mature into adults who actively participate in the democratic process as informed, involved and dedicated citizens,” Eyster’s biography states.

Eyster, who lives in Fulton Township, developed and taught AP U.S. government as part of the pilot for the national launch for the course in the mid-1980’s.

Although he retired from teaching at Parker High School in 2000, Eyster still teachers AP government for the Wisconsin Virtual School.

Eyster created the Washington Seminar program. Students interview national politicians and members of the media.

They write a paper analyzing their research.

This spring marked the 37th annual seminar. Many of Eyster’s students have gone on to become involved in local, state and federal government.

Ester worked as a registered state lobbyist for the Janesville School District from October 2000 through June 2008.

He is a retired clergyperson who has worked in Fort Atkinson, Edgerton and Emerald Grove.

Kneece

Say thanks to Kneece if you’ve watched free, local programming on your television.

Kneece, of Janesville, has been the manager of JATV since its induction in 1997. The channel has made lots of community programming possible, including candidate forums, live coverage of city council meetings and live, local sports and arts performances, to name a few.

Off the air, Kneece has many accomplishments as well.

“As a Janesville and Rock County native, it is evident … that she cares deeply about her community, and she freely shares her time and energy to improve Rock County,” Kneece’s nomination papers state.

In 1991, she was a founding member of the committee to mark Susan B. Anthony’s birthday in Rock County.

In 1998, she was one of three founding members of the Diversity Action Team of Rock County. The networking and educational group works in Janesville to “eliminate racism and all forms of discrimination.”

In 2000, Kneece was a founding member of the Rock County Women’s History committee.

She’s been a member of the League of Women Voters since 1974.

Kneece will not be able to attend the induction ceremony, said Vicki Brown, Rock County treasurer and Kneece’s friend.

Kneece in August 2007 was diagnosed with acute leukemia and is at the University of Minnesota preparing to participate in a clinical stem cell transplant trial, Brown said.

Kneece’s daughter will be the stem cell donor.