Students look to the future after successful tenure at MTU

HOUGHTON — Many Michigan Tech grads will be heading home for the holidays with degrees in hand.

It takes years to earn a college degree, but the effort brings benefits for a lifetime. Some 350 graduates of Michigan Tech took part in the Midyear Commencement Saturday. Among them was Huskies Football Captain Ben Tauchen, graduating with a Masters in Business Administration, only somewhat more satisfying than his accomplishments on the field.

Tauchen said, “My greatest memory would probably be beating Northern twice, two years in a row on last-second plays. It’s something else when you can beat the guys down the road.”
While earning her degree in Mechanical Engineering. Reagan May found time to be a racecar driver.

May said, “Two years ago, I was the Super Late Model Track champion in Plover, Wisconsin, followed up this past season with it in second in points. So, I’m excited to graduate, start my career as an engineer and continue racing throughout the rest of my life.”

Ashley VanSumeren didn’t have much free time, she was double majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Exercise Science.

VanSumeren said, “I got used to it. I also ended up getting a job on campus doing undergraduate research, so I really learned how to balance between class, work and research.”
Michigan Tech alumnus Keith Creagh, the director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, was the commencement speaker, who urged the graduates to overcome divisiveness and find ways to work together.