Mark R. Koenig

First-generation college student; attended elementary and high-school at Buffalo Lake, MN. I selected Ridgewater as it was an hour away, and I could commute in the spring and autumn to help with the farm work at home. Considerable new construction on the campus was underway when I decided to attend there; also the cost of attending there was much less than a four-year institution. As I was paying my own way, that was important to me. The instructors were professional, competent, inspiring, and friendly. Also met many fine individuals among my fellow students. After graduating with an AA degree in 1972, I proceeded to Minnesota State-Mankato and obtained a degree in education. After twenty-eight years of high-school teaching and athletic coaching, I decided to return to the family farm and be a self-employed agriculturalist; my present occupation. I believe that two-year colleges are a very viable option for anyone, as they offer a wide range of majors at a reasonable cost.