Spotlight — Betz, Elfers-Mabli, Pelech, Rapisardi
Kenneth Betz
Lecturer of Economics
College at Florham
How long have you been at FDU?
I first came to FDU as a student in 1976. I started teaching here as an adjunct in 1998 and became a lecturer in 2002.
If you could meet anyone in the world, whom would you pick? Why?
I would like to meet Warren Buffet and discuss his views on investing. I once stopped at his favorite restaurant in Omaha, Neb., but he wasn’t there.
What book or film did you recently enjoy? Why would you recommend it?
I just read Business, Baseball & Beyond, by Vincent Naimoli [FDU alumnus, MBA’64 (Flor); and member, FDU Board of Trustees]. It is a motivational story for entrepreneurs and baseball fans. It tells the story of Naimoli’s life, a very successful businessman and founder of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Something I’ve always wanted to learn is ...
… how to play the piano.
My first job was …
… installing fences.
One of the things I have in my refrigerator all the time is …
… Tropicana orange juice.
Complete the phrase: People would be surprised to know that I ...
… have been a volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years, and I am the truck captain of a 75-foot ladder truck.
My biggest challenge is ...
… to motivate my students to never stop learning.
What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt, and what profession would you want nothing to do with?
I have always wanted to be an architect. I designed and built the home I live in. I would not want to be an ice-road truck driver.
Linda Elfers-Mabli
Senior Lecturer of English
Metropolitan Campus
How long have you been at FDU?
Thirty years.
If you could meet anyone in the world, whom would you pick? Why?
Difficult question, so I guess I’ll stick to one of my favorite subjects, poetry, and say I’d like to meet the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey. I recently read her collection of poems, Native Guard, and fell in love with her work.
What book or film did you recently enjoy? Why would you recommend it?
While I usually don’t like war movies, I did see “The Hurt Locker” and was surprised I enjoyed it. I would recommend the film, not only for its unrelenting action, but for the development of characters, especially the main character, William James, played by Jeremy Renner.
Something I’ve always wanted to learn is ...
… how to ski. The only problem is that if I were to start skiing now, I’d probably wind up in traction, so I guess I’ll look for a less dangerous sport.
My first job was …
… a library page at the Teaneck (N.J.) Public Library, where I worked at the circulation desk and shelved books, when they were returned. Not very exciting, but it gave me the chance to get my hands on all the books I wanted to read.
One of the things I have in my refrigerator all the time is …
… chocolate milk. I love it.
Complete the phrase: People would be surprised to know that I ...
… enjoy riding on the back of my husband’s Harley — but only on local roads.
My biggest challenge is ...
… balancing career, family and my other interests.
What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt, and what profession would you want nothing to do with?
I would have enjoyed becoming an actor, but I do get the chance to act a bit when I read passages from the works I assign in my literature classes. As far as a profession I wouldn’t attempt, I guess I’d have to say anything in health care.
Robert Pelech
Director of Computing Services
Metropolitan Campus
How long have you been at FDU?
Eleven years.
If you could meet anyone in the world, whom would you pick? Why?
The current or any former president of the United States. I would like to know what it’s like running our country.
What book or film did you recently enjoy? Why would you recommend it?
“The Fifth Element.” It’s a 10-year-old movie that is an enjoyable mess. It’s sci-fi that’s satirical, action packed and goes in many different directions.
Something I’ve always wanted to learn is ...
… another language and master it.
My first job was …
… delivering about 100 newspapers per day on a bicycle.
One of the things I have in my refrigerator all the time is …
… yogurt.
Complete the phrase: People would be surprised to know that I ...
… enjoy astronomy.
My biggest challenge is ...
… spending less time following current events via newspapers, television or the Web.
What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt, and what profession would you want nothing to do with?
I would like to attempt being an astronomer. No way could I be a politician.
Janet Rapisardi
Managing Advisement Counselor, Center for Business Students Advising Office, Silberman College of Business
College at Florham
How long have you been at FDU?
I have been at FDU for three consecutive years, but my relationship with FDU is long-term, and includes an MBA in marketing, a secondary MBA in human resource management (MBA [Flor]) and an undergraduate degree (BA [Flor]). Awarded a full graduate fellowship (thank goodness!), I was elected by my peers and served as president of The Graduate Fellows Association during that period of time.
If you could meet anyone in the world, whom would you pick? Why?
I’d like to meet Anderson Cooper. I share his belief that reading and writing are of great value, and that a “good teacher” can help you find your passion. I admire his sharp journalistic acumen under the pressure of reporting timelines and would have infinite questions of his firsthand world coverage as a war correspondent and CNN anchor. I also wish I could have interviewed and watched “Il Divino,” Michelangelo, at work.
What book or film did you recently enjoy? Why would you recommend it?
I recently saw the film, “I am David,” based on the internationally acclaimed novel written by Anne Holm, and highly recommend it. As seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old Bulgarian prison camp escapee, the story’s message confirms that in overcoming adversity through positive belief and changed perception, we can recreate the course of our destiny. It is a journey in understanding that our humanity is interconnected, and that trust leads to finding love and self-actualization on many levels. The scenery is breathtaking and the message is compelling and poetic in its rendering.
Something I’ve always wanted to learn is ...
… Italian — as an incentive to take a second trip to Italy. I just started!
My first job was …
… corporate litigation paralegal at a Fortune-100, Blue-Chip New Jersey law firm. I was selected after a grueling interview process in which 500 applicants were considered.
One of the things I have in my refrigerator all the time is …
I keep three things in my fridge at all times — fresh berries, plain strained Greek yogurt and mixed greens.
Complete the phrase: People would be surprised to know that I ...
… worked as a major crimes investigative detective for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and was a New Jersey State court-certified expert.
My biggest challenge is ...
… realizing that I actually DO need to sleep.
What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt, and what profession would you want nothing to do with?
I would most like to be involved in marketing: branding and imaging via new media. But it would be fabulous to direct major motion pictures; among my favorite directors are Steven Spielberg and George Lucas for their respective creative genius. I would NOT want to be a Belgian dark-chocolate taste tester; there would NEVER be any “bad” samples (… and I’d even volunteer to work extended hours…!).
