Tetschlag scores with Shoe Tree reflections

Kayla Tetschlag

Kayla Tetschlag said she was 6 years old when she decided she might want to attend UW-Green Bay, and it was a little thing that caught her attention.

Tagging along on a visit to campus, she noticed the “Shoe Tree,” an old oak adorned with dozens if not hundreds of old sneakers, casual footwear, dress shoes. She was both fascinated, and truly perplexed.

“I wondered ‘Do all the students here go around barefoot?’” she recalled Saturday for an audience of about 4,500 at UW-Green Bay’s Kress Events Center.

Tetschlag delivered the student commencement address.

In her brief remarks she focused on how the little things in life can often lead to big things, or bring deep satisfaction.

She also said that a few days ago she, too, joined the Shoe Tree tradition and knotted the laces on her old Nike high-tops and sent them out on a limb, for history’s sake, symbolizing the fact she and other grads are beginning down a new path, post-college.

Tetschlag received her bachelor’s degree with magna cum laude (high) honors in Business Administration. In introducing Tetschlag, Interim Dean of Professional and Graduate Studies Derryl Block said she “embodies the best of a UW-Green Bay education.” She noted Tetschlag’s selection to the Division I Academic All-America Team, and that she helped lead her Phoenix women’s basketball team to a No. 9 national ranking, the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, and a 34-2 overall record.