Teresa Kiewiet ’27 pursues excellence in the classroom, on the basketball court, and through community outreach
Teresa Kiewiet ’27 | Photos by JaQuan Alston
By Stella Katsipoutis-Varkanis
Whether she’s on the basketball court, in the classroom, or out serving the community, Teresa Kiewiet ’27 approaches every endeavor with the same winning mentality: striving to be the best she can be and taking challenges in stride. Having the opportunity to pursue both academics and athletics at a high level at Lafayette, she explains, is what solidified her decision to make the College a key element in her game plan for a successful future.
“I first toured the campus during my junior year of high school, and I immediately fell in love with the campus,” says the civil engineering major and student-athlete from southern Minnesota. She had never heard of Lafayette before she was recruited by the women’s basketball team, but once she explored the College’s engineering program and experienced the campus atmosphere firsthand, the choice became clear. “I wanted a smaller school where I could have a closer connection to professors. A school that paired engineering and basketball, because that’s what I wanted since I was a kid. And I knew as soon as I got here Lafayette was the perfect fit for me,” she says.
That close-knit environment has shaped her experience both inside and outside the classroom. As a civil engineering major, Kiewiet has developed a growing interest in structural engineering and water resources, two subfields she is now considering for her future career thanks to the connections she built with faculty in the Engineering Division.
“I’m passionate about engineering as a whole because of its problem-solving,” Kiewiet says. “Civil engineering always clicked with me because it’s more on a macro scale. You’re dealing with buildings and structures or pipe systems—physical, tangible things. And that’s one of the ways I learn best: through physically seeing and doing things.”
One highlight of Kiewiet’s academic journey came during a semester-long project in her Structural Analysis and Steel Design course, where she worked with fellow students to construct an 18-foot steel bridge. “It was super fun and insanely rewarding at the end to see the product of all of our hard work,” she says.
Kiewiet credits much of her growth to the mentorship of Lafayette’s faculty. Among those who have had a lasting impact is Christa Kelleher, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Kiewiet’s adviser. “Since day one, Prof. Kelleher has been such a friendly face,” she says. “We have really candid conversations about classes, but also my future and how basketball is going.” Profs. Stephen Kurtz and David Brandes also challenged Kiewiet academically while supporting her growth. “They are such kind people who are very passionate about what they teach,” she says. “You can tell they care a lot about their students.”
“Teresa is an exceptionally smart student, thoughtful, hard-working, and has high standards for her written work,” Brandes says. “She clearly has a bright future.”
Kiewiet is a standout student and athlete: In addition to earning Dean’s List honors every semester as a civil engineering major, she also serves in a leadership role on Lafayette’s women’s basketball team. She was recently named Patriot League Women’s Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year and placed on the All Patriot League Women’s Basketball Second Team.
In addition to being a driven STEM scholar, Kiewiet is a passionate athletic competitor as a member of Lafayette’s women’s basketball team. Her accolades speak volumes of her talent and dedication to the sport: This month, she was named Patriot League Women’s Basketball Scholar Athlete of the Year and placed on the All Patriot League Women’s Basketball Second Team. Kiewiet began playing organized basketball in third grade, inspired by her father and older sister. She says she’s grateful to have the opportunity to continue pursuing that lifelong passion with the Leopards. “I love how competitive it is,” she explains. “No game is ever the same, and you’re always learning something new.”
At Lafayette, Kiewiet has embraced the idea of being both a student and an athlete. Balancing a rigorous engineering curriculum with Division I athletics requires discipline and organization, she says. “But when you have a super busy week with both sports and school and you make it through successfully, there’s a strong sense of accomplishment.” Her dedication to both academics and athletics has paid off: Kiewiet has earned a place on the dean’s list every semester, and she serves in a leadership role on her basketball team.
“Teresa is a great example of what’s possible at Lafayette,” says Kia Damon-Olson, head coach of women’s basketball at Lafayette. “What sets her apart is the depth of her intrinsic motivation and work ethic. Teresa has a strong desire to be her best in everything she does and will work until she achieves it while maintaining a light-hearted spirit.”
Beyond academics and athletics, Kiewiet is passionate about community service. As a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, she participates in outreach events such as reading to local elementary school students and volunteering with community sports programs. “I love being around kids and seeing the passion they have for different things,” she says. “Especially with young girls, it’s important for them to see successful student-athletes who look like them.”
Looking ahead, Kiewiet hopes to continue her education through graduate school while possibly serving as a graduate assistant with a women’s basketball program. Ultimately, she plans to become a licensed professional civil engineer. “I want to work on projects that will positively impact people’s lives,” Kiewiet says, emphasizing her interest in designing sustainable infrastructure to protect the environment for future generations.
Reflecting on her time at Lafayette so far, Kiewiet says the College has shaped her in more ways than she expected. “The most important thing I’ve learned is that things aren’t always going to go smoothly, and you’re not going to win every game,” she says. “But at the end of the day, it’ll be OK.”
With one year remaining, Kiewiet is focused on making the most of every opportunity—continuing to grow as an engineer, a leader, and a student-athlete determined to make a difference.
“I have high goals for myself,” she says. “I want to achieve big things in my life, and I know that starts with working hard now and learning a lot while I’m here.”
