Plans for a major investment in IT infrastructure at Capitol College are off to a running start, thanks to a generous gift from key donors.
John G. and Beverly A. Puente, who previously endowed the college’s spacious, state-of-the-art library, have donated $100,000 to help launch Capitol’s technology upgrade.
John Puente is a former Board of Trustees chairman whose association with the school goes back more than three decades. Today, the longtime supporter sees staying ahead of the digital curve as a top priority for Capitol.
“I’m happy to provide any support I can for the school, or to help students get into the IT field,” Puente said. “Good people are needed in the industry, and IT training means a good salary and a good job.”
“IT is of significant importance to most corporations – in fact, any corporation. It’s just the way the world is today,” he said.
Originally a technical institute with a focus on radio and electronics, Capitol has grown over the years to become a nationally-recognized provider of undergraduate and graduate education across a variety of fields – including computer engineering, computer engineering technology, computer science, information assurance and management of information technology. The school has been designated as an NSA Center of Excellence in the field of cybersecurity.
“Capitol has excelled in preparing students to go into technical fields, and we try to make training in these fields available to any student who has the desire and motivation to get a degree,” Puente said.
As part of a five-year plan adopted in November 2013, Capitol plans to add new academic programs, build additional facilities, and increase enrollments. Along with these plans comes a requirement for expanded IT investment, particularly in networks, labs, distance learning services and online student services.
Today’s IT systems are costly, and a total of $1.5 million is needed in order to complete the overhaul. Capitol’s president, Dr. Michael T. Wood, hopes other donors will join Puente in assisting the college with these critical upgrades.
“We are immensely grateful for John’s continuing contributions to the campus, and especially the library. His donations have been generous. This new gift will help us enhance the usefulness of our facilities for our current and future students,” Wood said.
“As we move to expand, update and modernize our information technology and educational services, additional contributions will take the institution to the next level,” Wood said. “We look forward to the proposals we are crafting for other corporation and foundation sponsors, and we encourage individual donors to step up and honor John and Beverly Puente with additional contributions.”
Photos: John G. Puente (top left); The John G. and Beverly Puente Library (bottom right).