Mary Christine Stevens, undergraduate student speaker for the 2025 spring commencement, has sampled much of what Michigan Tech has to offer during her time as a student—a philosophy she happily passes on to current and future students. As Stevens looks back on the time spent earning her bachelor of arts in English with a minor in French, she recalls the advice she received from her father when she first started her college journey.
“He told me to try everything,” Stevens said. “College is the last time in life you’ll have this much freedom and these few responsibilities.”
Though it may be impossible to try everything Michigan Tech has to offer between the first time a student steps foot on campus and the day they put on their cap and gown, Stevens certainly came close. She came to Tech as an Upper Peninsula native from Menominee, and her grandfather, aunt, and uncle are all Husky alumni with “only good things to say” about Michigan Tech, said Stevens. Tech’s small-town feel and her family’s connections to campus gave her an anchor. With that footing in place, she stepped out of her comfort zone—and found plenty to explore.
“My favorite memories are those that I’ve lived with others.”
Stevens found community in Greek Life with a group of people she calls “like-minded women passionate about academics, service, and living our shared values of justice, sisterhood, and love.” She spent four years as a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, where she worked with the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter for Abused Women, met some of her best friends and, in her words, “spent countless nights laughing until my sides hurt.” She’s also been an Order of Omega Honor Society member for the past year. Stevens’ annual highlight as a member of Greek life has been Winter Carnival, where she participated in the Stage Revue and helped build multiple winning statues. She was even part of Winter Carnival Royalty in 2024, and won the Congeniality Award.
One of her favorite memories with her Delta Phi Epsilon sorority sisters came from a camping trip in the Porcupine Mountains last summer.
“It was wonderful to have a weekend away and really connect with the women whom I spent so much time with,” said Stevens. “We spent the trip hiking, laughing around the fire, and swimming in the freezing cold lake.”
Outdoor adventures, hard work, and service were consistent parts of Steven’s time at Tech. She went on multiple Alternative Spring Break trips, but her favorite was spent working on a farm in Fort Apache, Arizona. Stevens’ family used to own a strawberry farm, and she still holds onto a love of farm life and a dream of homesteading.
“Growing up on the farm taught me a love and appreciation for gardening and self-reliance,” said Stevens. “I learned a lot from my grandparents, and would love to be able to own my own family farm one day.”
On top of her active social life and community service, Stevens put in many hours supporting her fellow students as a residence hall assistant (RA), senior RA, and summer RA. She also tutored for three years at the Michigan Tech Writing Center, where she worked with students and coaches from many different backgrounds.
“There’s no better feeling than a student telling me they got a good grade or felt like they were a better writer after working with me,” said Stevens.
While helping other Huskies polish their writing skills, Stevens was working on a writing project of her own. She started writing a historical fantasy adventure novel during winter break her first year at Tech, and published “Little Gold Rose” in 2024. Stevens released the tale of romance, betrayal, war, and courtly intrigue on the day she turned 21. Stevens said she first knew she wanted to write after reading “Out of My Mind” by Sharon Draper. Draper’s book tells the story of an incredibly smart girl with a disability, and the story helped Stevens feel more connected to her uncle, who has a rare disability.
“Reading that story made me realize I had stories of my own to share,” said Stevens. “I didn’t care if anyone bought it or read it, I just wanted to be able to say that I was an author, too, much like many of my heroes growing up.”
With her book published, Stevens combined her creative energy and summer RA dorm space to start a new project. Her podcast “No News is Bad News” breaks down core information on current events in 10 minutes or less. Stevens designed the podcast with a compact format to help combat information overload fatigue she and her fellow students often felt.
“I’ve always been passionate about politics and current events, and wanted to get other young people interested,” said Stevens. “I try to avoid tiresome commentary that overshadows the real story.”
Stevens intends to continue the podcast as she steps out of college life and into her journalism career. After graduating, she’ll become a reporter at the Daily Mining Gazette in Houghton, where she was an editorial intern last summer. Her long-term career goals include war reporting for an international media outlet such as the Associated Press and writing more books. She is currently working on her second novel.
How did she balance all these extracurriculars with her coursework at Tech?
“As students always joke, Tech really does force you to learn the meaning of tenacity,” said Stevens. “I’ve really grown as a person and student here.”
Thanks to following her father’s advice, Stevens is well-prepared for a bright future ahead—with a wide range of experiences under her belt and a network of supportive Huskies at her back.
About the College of Sciences and Arts
The College of Sciences and Arts is a global center of academic excellence in the sciences, humanities, and arts for a technological world. Our teacher-scholar model is a foundation for experiential learning, innovative research and scholarship, and civic leadership. The College offers 33 bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences, chemistry, humanities, kinesiology and Integrative physiology, mathematical sciences, physics, psychology and human factors, social sciences, and visual and performing arts. We are home to Michigan Tech’s pre-health professions and ROTC programs. The College offers 25 graduate degrees and certificates. We conduct approximately $12 million in externally funded research in health and wellness, sustainability and resiliency, and the human-technology frontier.
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