Ten years have passed since the death of former University of Kentucky student and Kentucky Kernel Photo Editor, Jonathan Krueger, whose legacy continues to have a lasting impact.
Jonathan’s mother, Mary Krueger, said that as the 10-year anniversary approached, although there was much heartache, in some ways, Jonathan was still with her, saying their family celebrated what would have been his 32nd birthday on April 12 this year.
According to Krueger, Jonathan had gone home to Perrysburg, Ohio, for his 22nd birthday, just five days before he was murdered.
Krueger said she was happy to see Jonathan because of how busy he had been while traveling to cover Kentucky basketball at the 2015 Final Four, saying now, when she watches March Madness, she can’t help but think about her son.
“It seems like forever and it seems like just yesterday because of all these things over 10 years and people I’ve met,” Krueger said. “He’s (Jonathan) constantly introducing me to people and it just sort of keeps him alive.”
Krueger said after Jonathan’s death, Kernel members from all different decades, even those who did not know him, reached out to her and continue to do so, saying his death showed he was part of a family at the Kernel.
“I didn’t understand the family that it becomes until he died,” Krueger said. “I wish I could have figured this out a lot differently.”
For Krueger, Jonathan’s legacy was his love for his family.
“That’s what I’ll always remember when I look at pictures and scrapbooks,” Krueger said.
Above all, Jonathan is still deeply missed, Krueger said, although being able to see his work still has an impact on people at the Kernel, bringing great pride to the Krueger family.
According to the then-Kernel photojournalism advisor and mentor of Jonathan’s, David Stephenson, the consistent work and care Jonathan put into being photo editor was what made him a leader.
Stephenson said Jonathan’s relationship with the staff, including the way he worked to lift other photographers up, was something he loved to watch.
“He demonstrated to other students you could work and have fun and enjoy it all at the same time,” Stephenson said. “He did a lot of leading by example with his attitude.”
Former Kernel photo editor and Jonathan’s friend, Michael Reaves, talked about these same qualities Jonathan had as a communicator when they worked together, saying he and Jonathan were very intertwined.
“We shared a passion for getting better,” Reaves said. “All of us that worked with him live with a reminder of his passions and love for life every day.”
Stephenson said part of Jonathan’s legacy was the memorial scholarship created in his honor, which provided support to Kernel photographers in the same way Jonathan did with his staff.
Friend of Jonathan’s and former freelance photojournalist, Jonathan Palmer, said he and his wife, Danielle, helped set up the original GoFundMe account for the memorial scholarship.
Palmer said the memorial scholarship preserved Jonathan’s legacy and encouraged young aspiring photojournalists to learn from his work, even after his passing.
“They would get to know who Jonathan was through his story,” Palmer said. “They could glean some of those qualities and help them on their photographic journey.”
For the current Kernel photo editor, Matthew Mueller, receiving the memorial scholarship is an honor, saying it has allowed him the freedom to focus on his work.
“Without it, I wouldn’t be able to be in this position and really dedicate my life to journalism,” Mueller said.
A decade after his death, Jonathan is still a reminder of the sacrifices it takes to be a photographer, according to Palmer.
“He was kind, he was gentle, he was full of life,” Palmer said. “He continues to help photographers into the future be the best they can be, and be a gentle storyteller with the heart of a lion.”
Palmer said Jonathan’s idealism is what made him a good human, saying his legacy will live through Kernel photographers forever.
