Murray State University Shoe Tree

"I remember my very first walk across MSU's campus. It was a sunny March day in 2012. I walked past the shoe tree, and wondered what that was about. Soon after, I found out what it meant. I loved the idea and tradition that the tree held.
My husband and I met in February 2012, during our senior year at Murray State. We met one night out, and found out we shared a class together. We dated for 2 years and were married on August 9th, 2014. I never thought I would meet my husband at Murray State, let alone be privileged enough to put our shoes on the tree.
It saddens me that the tree will be taken down, as I had hoped my children one day would be able to see their parents shoes on the tree. However, as an alumni of MSU, thank you for starting a new tradition for those of us who won't have their physical shoes on the tree anymore."
Sincerely,
Amelia and Davis Glass

"Our story began on August 27, 1994, when Michael Miller and I were in the same wedding party. The wedding was that of my sorority big sis and his fraternity big brother! The Sigma Chi's had a party at the old house on the night of the rehearsal and Michael asked me to go and if I saw him "to not be a stranger"...great first line that began our courtship! However, we did not see each other at the party that night even though we were both in attendance. I know what you are thinking, that was a big party, and yes, we were secretly looking for each other. The day of the wedding was eventful from the craziness of the wedding to our first dances at the reception to the hokey pokey and the chicken dance! The wedding was in Smithland were I had driven and Michael's friends conveniently left early. He drove me home that night and dropped me off where I lived above the golf shop. The following day we were on the lake together and the rest is history! We were engaged the summer of '96 in the quad right outside the Pogue Library on the opening day of the Atlanta Olympics and were married in December of that year. We moved to Atlanta for our first jobs but returned to add our shoes to the shoe tree. We now live in Nashville, where we have made our home and are raising three beautiful children. We are using our degrees from Early Childhood Education and Occupational Safety and Health to make our living. Our oldest son will be graduating from high school this year and using the Tennessee Promise to attend community college here in town; however, he has shown interest in attending Murray State as a legacy of both his parents as well as possibly pledging Sigma Chi! What a circle of life that will return right back to where our story began!!"
- Michael and Shannon Prince Miller

A collection of stories highlighted in February 2016 for the Murray State series.

Welcome to the Murray State University Shoe Tree page, dedicated to one of the oldest traditions on campus: The Shoe Tree. In honor of the Shoe Tree being relocated to a new tree, this page will act as a story log for past and present Shoe Tree tales. Tell your friends and help the tradition grow. Read more about the new Shoe Tree in the link below.

Help us preserve our Shoe Tree tradition | Racer Nation Information The official newsletter for members of the Murray State University community.