10 Within 10 Recognition
Mary Hilger '13
.jpg?sfvrsn=3a3cccff_5 "Hilger")
Major: History
Job title and employer: Attorney advisor and judge advocate for the Michigan Army National Guard.
Current city and state: Lowell, MI
Hometown: East Grand Rapids, MI
What is your favorite memory of CMU? Being a resident assistant at Carey Hall, meeting some of my best friends, and getting to live with one of my best friends as an RA. It was pretty challenging at times being an RA, but having Maeling Groya as my roommate and the multicultural adviser of Carey Hall made it so much easier and we had so much fun.
What has been your coolest moment since graduation? Marrying my husband in 2016 was pretty amazing. Finding out I passed the Michigan bar exam in 2017 and getting to be sworn in by my dad with the rest of my family there to support me. Also, being commissioned as a first lieutenant in the Michigan Army National Guard as a judge advocate in 2019 by my dad.
What are you proudest of? The people in my life. My husband, Andrew, for going to law school and becoming a lawyer. My siblings, Page and Spencer, for always being there for me and being two of the hardest working people I know. My parents for always being there for the three of us kids. My grandparents for all their love and support. All my friends who are doing amazing things in their careers and personal lives. I have been so lucky to have the people in my life and I cannot thank them enough.
What advice would you give to new graduates? Enjoy your time at CMU! It goes so fast and before you know it, you're applying for jobs or graduate school and paying bills. It's exciting growing up and being an adult but take your time! Enjoy the little things with your friends, have fun, and take random classes. You won't have many other chances like this to expand your experiences and knowledge like you can at CMU. Go to the SAC, go to the plays, go to any of the sports you can, take advantage of the resources around you.
What has your work life taught you? I have always struggled with self-confidence, but as I have gotten older and experienced more in life, I've been able to become more confident in what I do. I know I'm still learning but the role I'm in now has shown me how to take pride in what I do.
What about CMU helped you succeed? The people I met at CMU helped change me the most and have helped me succeed. Without the roommates, friends, and professors I got to meet, I don't think I would be where I am today. CMU was the perfect fit for me; it was a big school but it always felt small. I was able to find classes I loved and programs/organizations that I was passionate about. I found my people at CMU. They were there to push me to do more and to challenge myself to become a better person and to grow into who I am now.
10 years of 10 within 10 - 2023 update
Current city and state:Lowell, MI
Current job title and employer:
Current (ending summer 2024): Chief Legal Assistance Judge Advocate for the U.S. Army at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
Civilian: Attorney Advisor at Michigan Army National Guard
What is happening in your life today that you didn't expect when you were named one of the 10 within 10?
Being deployed with the U.S. Army. It has always been a possibility to be deployed since I joined the Michigan Army National Guard, but I was not sure if I would ever have this opportunity. I have been deployed to Kuwait for roughly nine months and will be home soon. I have learned a lot, experienced new things, and have met new people. It has been an incredible challenge, and I am grateful for this experience. I could not have done this without the love and support of my husband, family, friends, and coworkers back home.
When you think of CMU today, what word comes to mind?
Community. I have best friends whom I was lucky enough to meet while I was at CMU and after I graduated. These people are a part of my family, and I will always be grateful for CMU being one of those things that brought us together.