EC Wisconsin News

Lakeland University began its 2025-26 academic year with Opening Convocation at the Bradley Theatre, featuring Eric Kriete as the keynote speaker. Kriete, a 1999 Lakeland graduate and local business owner, spoke to students and faculty about his journey after leaving the university.

Kriete is the founder and owner of The Silver Fern in Sheboygan. After earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lakeland, he started working for his family’s trucking company, The Kriete Group. “I knew I knew everything,” Kriete said. “My dad (the company CEO) knew I knew nothing. And my dad was absolutely right.”

He described how a trip to New Zealand helped him find new direction in life. While traveling from Auckland southward, he received help from locals who offered him food and places to stay. “That kindness broke me,” Kriete said. “And it happened again and again until that chip on my shoulder started to disappear.” He explained that this experience taught him the value of serving others and building relationships.

Upon returning to Sheboygan, Kriete purchased a bar which he named The Silver Fern, as a tribute to New Zealand’s national symbol and the impact his travels had on him. “That status and money I was chasing meant nothing to me,” he said. “Relationships mean everything to me.”

Kriete has remained active with Lakeland University since graduating, participating in events such as dancing at the 2014 Movers & Shakers Gala and serving as a panelist at the 2022 Lakeland Business and Entrepreneurship Colloquium.

“This place has something magical about it,” said Kriete, reflecting on his involvement with various clubs during his time as a student, including serving as student body president and being part of Zeta Chi fraternity.

He credited longtime faculty member April Arvan—also a Lakeland graduate—for recruiting him to play golf at Lakeland, an event he described as changing the course of his life: “That changed the direction of my life forever.” During his remarks, he also paid tribute to Steve Gould, President Emeritus of Lakeland University.

At Thursday’s convocation event, current Lakeland President Beth Borgen delivered her annual charge to students: take care of yourself, take care of each other and take care of this place.