Capitol Technology University welcomed the Class of 2019 yesterday, August 12. As the new students and their families arrived on campus with cars full of items to move in, the atmosphere brimmed with possibility and new beginnings. Resident assistants greeted the new arrivals and helped them settle in before they were whisked through the annual rituals of placement testing, academic advising, and orientation workshops.
Leone West, mother of new student James West, said that the process of dropping off her son had been very easy and well organized. She connected that ease to James’ decision to come to Capitol. “We walked on campus and he fit in. He talked to the professors easily, and he talked to the other prospective students easily.”
Another new student, Isaiah Gordon, shared the same sentiment. “I’ve been to other colleges, but I’ve never been to a college like this, as wide open, or as friendly, or as engaging as this one. I’m really looking forward to starting my classes, meeting new people, and really taking in the environment.”
After the morning activities wound down, Capitol’s President, Dr. Michael T. Wood, greeted the assembled students and their families. “This is a big day for you all,” he told the students. “You are part of the largest entering class in the history of Capitol, but you will not be lost in big numbers.” As Dr. Wood promised the support of the entire Capitol community, he highlighted some of the recent student success stories, including the successful launch of the Project Hermes payload from Wallops Flight Facility earlier in the morning. “Folks like you did that,” he reiterated.
George H. Walls, Capitol’s senior director of admissions, greeted the students next. After repeating Dr. Wood’s message about the Class of 2019 being the largest group of incoming students, Walls told them what excited him even more. “We have a level of engagement amongst this class of students that is larger than we’ve ever had in the institution’s history.” Over 35% of the Class of 2019 have participated in robotics programs at their high schools, in addition to being involved in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, cyber battle teams, and even more outside the classroom. “It looks like you guys are going to do really amazing things,” Walls told the students.
Melinda Bunnell-Rhyne, dean of student life and retention, greeted the students last. “I have two favorite times of year,” she told them. “Today, when we welcome so many people full of big ideas and goals and dreams that we expect to help you make, and then commencement, when we see you all celebrate the success in reaching those goals and dreams.” She also implored the students to make the most of their college experience, with more than 20 student clubs in addition to competitions, teams, and projects. “The experience of college will not come to your door. Student life truly is student powered here.”
The day continued with an outdoor picnic provided by Capitol’s MegaByte Café before students and parents split off for different afternoon sessions to help them prepare for the semester. As the day drew to a close and families began to leave, Isaiah Gordon’s father, Greg Gordon, said, “I’m just very proud of my son, and hopefully he gets a chance to work with some of those guys down at Goddard in their engineering program to help him get started in his career.”
Undergraduate classes for the Fall 2015 semester begin on Monday, August 17. Good luck to everyone!