An Elizabethtown College education is for people who feel the pull to contribute to the world. With a network of 24,425 living alumni, our graduates leave Etown to become the influential advocates and changemakers the world needs more of.
Mark Koernig ’79
Meet Mark Koernig ’79, a retired Senior Implementation/Product Manager, who majored in Business Administration as a student, found his true passions in life at Etown. In addition to building the foundation for his career, he met his future wife and fellow Business Administration alumna Dottie (McGiffin) Koernig ’78. Koernig also prides himself on giving back, spending 15 years as an EMT, volunteering with his local first aid squad.
“My minor in Computer Science from Etown has provided me the foundation to succeed in the field that I have spent my entire career in.”
What defined your Etown experience?
Meeting my future spouse after being mistakenly assigned her as my roommate defined my experience at Etown. During the summer before my freshman year, I received a mailing from the College with what was to contain my roommate assignment. Opening the envelope, I was surprised when I was assigned Dottie McGiffin in Royer room 301.
I saw that Dottie lived nearby and called her to see if she had received the correct information for her roommates. She had, and she was assigned Nancy Koerner. Seeing that my last name was close alphabetically to Nancy’s, I assumed there was a mix-up with stuffing envelopes. I eventually received the correct information on my roommate and then arrived on campus to begin my freshman year.
On Halloween night, my roommate and I watched “The War of the Worlds” when someone knocked on our door. I answered, and Dottie was there with one of her friends. She had decided to track down the guy who called her over the summer. We spoke for a while and became friends. As we spent more time together, we realized there was a connection. Our first real date was the College’s Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance.
Fast forward to today, we have been married for over 42 years, and have three wonderful children and three beautiful granddaughters. We also are expecting our first grandson this fall.
When Dottie and I were married, my brother said in his best man speech that Etown knew that we were destined to become roommates. We have more than fulfilled that destiny.
How has your Etown degree benefitted you and your career success?
My minor in Computer Science from Etown has provided me the foundation to succeed in the field that I have spent my entire career in.
How have you made a difference in the lives of others through your career and/or personal life?
I was an EMT and spent almost 15 years volunteering with my local first aid squad.
What is your passion? Where do you place your energy besides your career?
While my career drives me professionally, my true passion lies in my family.
View more Etown Changemakers at etown.edu/125.