Dorothy Mulder Roark was born December 19, 1924 in Holland, Michigan. Her parents were first generation Americans of Dutch heritage. In the 20’s and 30’s, Holland was predominately a Dutch community with a strong farming influence. Dot grew up on a farm during the height of the the depression in a strict Dutch household with six siblings. She was the first in her family to graduate from high school and followed her educational path to Michigan State where she obtained an undergraduate degree and Masters in Communication and Educational Television. She was on the cutting edge of early television production. As one of the first employees of UNC-TV she produced and hosted shows during the early years focused on women’s issues, the arts, and health. She was an active duty solider in the Women’s Air Force during the Korean War and earned the rank of Captain before retiring. Most of her working life has been spent in service to her church, community and family. Dot’s commitment to her “four pillars”, church, education, community and military is unparalleled and she has spent most of her one hundred years making the world a better place.