Sherry Nebel and Greg Witter will be honored by Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication as 2026 Hall of Achievement Award recipients at the 50th Murrow Symposium, scheduled for April 6–8.
The Hall of Achievement recognizes individuals who exemplify the Murrow Standard through careers defined by ethical leadership, public service, and a commitment to strengthening civic life through communication. This year’s inductees reflect the values at the core of the Murrow Symposium’s 50-year legacy — advancing media literacy, fostering inclusive storytelling, and addressing real-world challenges with clarity, credibility, and purpose.
About Sherry Nebel
Sherry Nebel is a 1976 graduate of Washington State University’s Murrow College of Communication, where she earned a degree in communication with a focus on journalism and public relations. As a student, she was actively engaged in campus leadership, including service with the Public Relations Student Society of America and participation in student-led programming initiatives. These early experiences helped shape a career defined by strategic communication and organizational leadership.
Nebel began her professional career at KIRO-TV, the CBS affiliate in Seattle, where she worked as a television news writer and producer and contributed to special reports and news documentaries. In 1985, she joined The Boeing Company, launching a corporate communications career that spanned more than two decades and encompassed increasing levels of responsibility. During her tenure, she held senior roles including public relations manager and director of media relations, overseeing local, national, and international media engagement and directing executive communications for Boeing’s top leadership, including the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.
She later led global communications for Connexion by Boeing and ultimately for Boeing’s airplane business, managing integrated communications strategies across multiple platforms and audiences. Since retiring from Boeing, Nebel has remained deeply committed to civic and professional service, including leadership and board roles with Seafair, the Murrow Professional Advisory Board, Wellspring Family Services, and the Woman’s Century Club. Her ongoing engagement reflects a lasting commitment to mentorship, community impact, and the Murrow legacy.
About Greg Witter
Greg Witter is a veteran communications professional with more than four decades of experience spanning journalism, government, corporate communications, digital media, and higher education. A 1984 graduate of Washington State University’s Murrow College of Communication, he began his career as a newspaper reporter before moving to Washington, D.C., where he served as a press secretary and legislative aide to members of the U.S. House and Senate from the Pacific Northwest.
In 1989, Witter joined Alaska Airlines, where he spent 15 years in progressively senior leadership roles across media relations, internal communications, government affairs, and shareholder communications. As managing director of corporate and strategic communications, he led the airline’s public response to the Flight 261 tragedy in 2000, overseeing a crisis communications effort widely recognized for its clarity, transparency, and compassion. His early use of the internet as a central crisis communications tool was regarded as groundbreaking. As part of the boutique strategic communications firm he’s operated for many years he lectures on crisis communications for professional and academic audiences.
Witter is also the co-founder and executive editor of Cougfan.com, the award-winning CBS Sports affiliate covering Washington State athletics, which he launched in 1998 with a focus on in-depth reporting and source-driven storytelling. Over nearly three decades, the site has attracted a national audience and provided professional experience to dozens of Murrow students.
Over the years, Witter has remained deeply engaged in public service and education, including teaching as an adjunct instructor at Seattle University, serving on the Murrow College Advisory Board, and holding a longtime trusteeship with the WSU Foundation.
About the Murrow Symposium
The Murrow Symposium is the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication’s signature annual event, bringing together students, scholars, alumni, and industry leaders to explore pressing issues in communication, media, and public service through panels, workshops, and networking opportunities. The Hall of Achievement Ceremony will take place as part of the Murrow Symposium at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6, on the Washington State University Pullman campus. Additional information including registration details, is available on the Murrow Symposium website.
