The digital era has brought about a new kind of conflict – cyber conflict – and with it the need for intelligent, creative individuals who can assist in protecting networks and assets, US Cyber Defense Advisor to NATO Curtis KS Levinson told graduating students of Capitol Technology University at the school’s Commencement ceremony Saturday (May 16).
“In cyberspace, we fight invisible and often anonymous adversaries in a battle without either clear goal or end,” Levinson said. “The weapons are no longer metal but mental.”
His speech was a rousing call to arms to the current class of graduates, warning that cyber attacks have the capability to inflict real damage even though no shots are fired or weapons systems launched. “Our adversaries are already inside our networks and systems,” he said. “We know our network perimeters have been totally breached. We have no idea how many network endpoints exist or where they are. Our network cores have been totally breached and infected as well.”
Levinson called on graduates to rise to the challenge of defending networks – and the people who rely on them – against such threats. “It is now up to each and every one of you to use your new degrees, knowledge, experience and mental toughness to help preserve all you hold dear,” he said.
It was the first Commencement to be held at Capitol since its transition from college to university in October 2014. Degrees were conferred upon approximately 144 graduates of the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs at the university.
Presentations of memorial scholarships and awards were also given. Dr. Donna G. Thomas, vice president for advancement, presented the Avrum Gudelsky Memorial Scholarship to Carl Hansen; Dean of Business and Information Sciences Dr. Helen Barker presented the Marilyn and Seymour Levenson Memorial Award to Cory Bullock.
James Aaron Bush received the Student Leadership Award from Capitol’s president. Dr. Michael T. Wood. The dean of student life and retention, Melinda Bunnell-Rhyne, presented Distinguished Student Service Awards to Rachel Richmond and Jasmine Cornitcher.
Four Capitol professors -- Risabh Maharaja, Andrew Mehri, Dr. Jason Pittman and Dr. Hong Yu -- were the recipients of Faculty Awards, conferred by the vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Vic Maconachy.
Highlights of the ceremony, held at the college’s campus in Laurel, Maryland, also included remarks by Dr. Wood, an invocation by Reverend Scott W. Hoffmann of the Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church, and a special music presentation by tenor Andrew Exner and the Columbia Brass Quintet.
Exner, who is assistant director of foundation relations at Capitol, performed The Impossible Dream from the musical Man of La Mancha, accompanied by the Quintet.
Capitol Technology University is the only independent institution of higher education in Maryland dedicated to education in engineering, computer science, information technology and business through practices of leadership and innovation. Founded in 1927, Capitol offers associate, bachelor’s and master's degrees, a doctor of science in information assurance, professional development training and certificates.
It offers the following specific degree programs: astronautical engineering (BS, MS), business administration (BS, MBA), computer engineering (BS), computer engineering technology (AAS, BS), computer science (BS, MS), cybersecurity (DSc), electrical engineering (BS, MS), electronics engineering technology (AAS, BS), information systems management (MS), internet engineering (MS), management and decision sciences (PhD), management of information technology (BS), mobile computing and game programming (BS), software engineering (BS), telecommunications engineering technology (AAS, BS), and web development (BS).
Photo: Capitol graduate Anne-Marie Pope with her newly-conferred bachelor of science degree.