Mary Stewart served as an events coordinator at the University of Michigan Union. Stewart jointed the Union in 1974. In the 1980s, Stewart noticed there were few events at the Union for black students. Stewart began working with Omega Psi Phi fraternity to find sponsors and help fund and organize events. Stewart's work with Omega Psi Phi led to other organizations to ask for help. Stewart assumed an unofficial role as sympathetic mentor, counselor, and resource for minority students and student athletes within the university. Among Stewart's mentees were Larry Foote, Derek Jeter, Morgan Trent, Mike Hart, Chris Perry, and many others.
Stewart retired from the University of Michigan in 2015. A group of Stewart's mentees, led by Mike Muse (Obama administration adviser and CEO of Muse records) and Glenn Eden (Chicago based public relations executive) has established a scholarship in Stewart's name in conjunction with the U-M Alumni Association's LEAD Scholars Program. The first scholarship was awarded at a testimonial celebration for Stewart on October 9, 2015.
