Gene Mullenberg came to NDSSS in 1968, decided Accounting was not his thing, and switched to Business Management and Salesmanship. While he was at “Science,” he was fortunate to be on the Student Cabinet were his office was Social Chairman. That role provided him a wealth of experience in coordinating many different events. He learned the value of negotiation by trying to provide what the students wanted with what the administration could provide, which Mullenberg claims, “gave me invaluable insight into real world situations, the give and take, compromise and dealing with people.”
He met many great people during his two years at NDSSS. An instructor, Mercedes Morris, saw a side of him that he was too young to know existed. She was beyond a doubt the most influential person in his life, second only to his parents. She mentored him many times on how to deal with the issues at hand, be responsible, be respectful of other people and their opinions, take care of business first and play later. Mrs. Morris molded him into a positive member of society, while at the same time allowed him to be a kid in college having the time of his life, which he certainly did!
Mullenberg did not realize until later in life what an impact “Science” had made on him. In retirement, he has had more time to look back on his career and life and see the correlation of the many things he learned on the Wahpeton campus. He had a Kodak cartridge camera in the glove compartment of his car and took hundreds of photos during those college days. Mullenberg enjoys looking at them, smiling and recalling all the great times. His only regret is, after leaving the state of ND in 1970, that he did not stay in touch with many of his high school and college classmates. Gene and his wife, Pam, look forward to visiting the NDSCS campus soon.