Leaning back in his chair, Mike Donlin, social studies teacher, thinks of a way to explain why he did it. Looking to not be too direct, and choosing his words carefully, he said, “I wanted to prove it to myself that I could do it.”

An average man in his 60’s usually doesn’t give the time or the effort to go back to school and complete his doctorate, but Donlin is not an average man.

Donlin packed up his things and went back to college.

Through the University of Minnesota, a cohort group from Rochester offered classes Friday and Saturday at Winona State. The classes had people from Mankato, Winona State and UW-LaCrosse in attendance. After “jumping through hoops” for 10 years, he was able to receive his doctorate in higher education administration. The 13th in his class of 21 to do so.

To be accepted into the cohort, he had to take the Graduate Records Exam (GRE).

“I thought if they accepted me they were just taking bodies, but not many people were actually accepted,” Donlin said.

Originally from Gaylord, Minn., Donlin grew up in Richfield, a suburb of Minneapolis. He attended De La Salle High school and went to College of St. Thomas  before failing out with a GPA of 1.32. After spending two years working in the US Postal Service, Donlin was drafted into the military and shipped off to Germany for two years.

His two years of military service gave him a second chance for college as well as his chance to go to Europe and serve his country.

“I am very proud of my service, even though I didn’t do much,” Donlin said.

In Germany, Donlin was an ambulance driver who spent most of his time driving around to pick up soldiers to and from medical facilities.

With the “GI Bill,” he returned to St. Thomas in St. Paul Minn. where he received his BA in history. He would also receive his Masters degree from St. Thomas.

Donlin graduated with a 2.69 GPA after being in school for a total of five years.

“I received only one B in that whole time, but that still could not wipe away the 1.32 I had from before my service.” Donlin said.

It was also after his service that he would return home to find that the little neighbor girl he knew before leaving for the service, Mary Frith, was no longer a little girl. They fell in love and got married in 1976 and have five sons together.

“That is one of the only things I am really proud of are my sons; I think we raised them about as well as we could have.”

Donlin’s first job after college was at Pine Island High School as a teacher. He then went on to work at Holy Angels, Elgin-Millville, and filled in for a teacher on sabbatical at Convent of the Visitation for one year.

He came to Cotter when a friend of his, Jim Devine, wanted him as principal. After six year of administration, Donlin returned to the classroom.

“I was an ok administrator,” Donlin said. “Those who have had me for a teacher may imagine how bad I was as an administrator.”

So why would a man with all of these accomplishments and happiness in his life go back to school to receive his doctorate?

“I have always thought about ending my career at a college level, and I thought this would make me more employable.”

Still leaning in his chair, Dr. Donlin concludes his story. With a content look on his face, he says “I do truly care about all you kids. I want the best for you.”