Betty Videto keeps social sciences department running smoothly
Naomi Spencer
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Features
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Betty Videto, the social sciences secretary for two and a half decades, is part of the dedicated team of Spring Arbor University staff members who keep SAU running smoothly.
From the time Videto was a young girl she knew she wanted to be a secretary. She would look longingly at the glossy pictures of typewriters in the Sears-Roebuck catalogs, wishing she could have one of her own. She even took pennies and created her own typewriter after memorizing the keys from the catalog pictures. When she was 15 years old, Videto got her first job at the General Store. At an hourly wage of 25 cents, she slowly saved up enough money to buy her very own used, manual typewriter.
After graduating from high school Videto went to Ferris State University for a 12-month course in Stenographic and Clerical Practice. The certificate she received from this course enabled her to get her dream job as a secretary job right out of school. "It was much easier to get jobs back then, not at all like it is today," said Videto.
Flash forward a few years. Videto is married and has children. When her youngest child grew up she took on the position she still has to this day at SAU.
Over the course of 25 years, Videto has worked in more than a few buildings on campus, some of which have since been demolished. She went from the basement of Kresge Student center to the Post-house (which was located where the Poling Center now stands,) to the Colson House (which stood where Gainey Hall now stands), to the bottom of Dietzman Hall, to her current place in the Poling Center.
"This is the most beautiful facility I've ever been in. The location is ideal; it's very convenient," said Videto about her new work place.
Videto has some interesting tales to tell about the Colson house. "I used to give tours of the Colson house. The attic reminded me of the attic in the book "The Diary of Anne Frank," she said. Videto kept an intricate Victorian looking light switch frame as a reminder of the now demolished house.
Over the years, Videto has made close friends with students and faculty at SAU. She became especially close with the SAU students who worked as park-time milkers on her husband's dairy farm in Spring Arbor. "It's always hard to see some professors and students leave but I still keep in touch with some of them," said Videto.
Videto has thought of retiring in a few years but for now she still enjoys working. "I like saving the professors time and running errands," said Videto.
"Betty is the type of person one can always depend upon, not only to get any work assignment done but to do it in a positive and caring way," said Dr. Lawrence Pfaff who works in the social science department, "She truly is an example of someone who practices Christian values on a minute by minute basis."
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