Elisabeth De Nitto

“In the 1970s, the Saturday College at Ramapo was the only program in the State of New Jersey where adults, most of them (including myself) with families and full-time jobs, were offered the opportunity to complete an undergraduate degree.

As a new US citizen from Germany, I embraced studies in American Culture, which Ramapo College offered and it led to a degree in Intercultural Studies.

Arriving at the beautifully landscaped campus every Saturday morning meant entering a world with promises to gratify my intellectual curiosity. I was never disappointed.

There was barely an age difference between professors and students. It made for uninhibited discourse and discussion of intellectual thought. Our professors made sure each individual thrived in this atmosphere of reassurance and encouragement. Yes, there were lectures, but the best part of every class were the discussions and sharing that took place afterward.

My learning experience at Ramapo College was instrumental in choosing a teaching career – I had great role models. And wanting to put my linguistic background to use, I earned a Master’s Degree in English as a Second Language and taught public school. My students were mostly from Japan, Korea, and China and [they] immersed me in the culture of Asia, leading to studies in China and Japan while at NYU’s Doctorate Program of International Education.

However, since childhood I never lost my love for the arts, prompting a graduate degree in Fine Arts, later narrowed to botanical art and substantially influenced by Asian Art. It is with pleasure I pursue the arts and writing in retirement.” – Elisabeth De Nitto ’74 graduated from Ramapo College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Intercultural Studies.

Elisabeth is a Professor Emerita from St. Thomas Aquinas and is a Freelance Artist & Writer. Her most recent publication is her children’s book: “Rudi Rainbow – the Boy Who Fell from the Clouds”, published by Christian Faith Publishing, 2024, written and illustrated by Elisabeth De Nitto.