Capitol community celebrates scholarship recipients, thanks donors

Celebrating the achievements of scholarship recipients and honoring the generosity of the benefactors who make such support possible, Capitol Technology University held its annual Scholarship Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday (October 21). Sandra English delivered the keynote address.

English, a member of Capitol’s Board of Trustees since 1995, is passionate about supporting students at the university and helping to provide them with resources and opportunities. Together with her late husband, Carl English, she established an endowed scholarship at the university in 1983, supporting African-American students who have outstanding academic and financial needs. The English family continues to support the college’s mission through the endowment and other avenues.

In her address, English took note of ongoing changes at Capitol, including the transition from college to university status. “I am inspired continually by our progress and how we are moving forward,” she told attendees.

She also shared reminiscences about Carl English, who was vice-chairman of Capitol’s board during the 1980s and played a pivotal role during a time of rapid development. English, born to a farming family in Virginia, grew up to become a successful business leader and served as president of several companies, including MA/Com Information Systems. He provided invaluable support to students through mentoring and providing summer internships, and later through the endowed scholarship.

“His heart was always with Capitol and with assisting students,” English said of her husband.

Also addressing the event was Carl Hansen, recipient of the Avrum Gudelsky Memorial Scholarship. Hansen has been active in the student-led HERMES project, which is working to develop a new mode of mobile satellite communications, and has also served as president of the university’s amateur radio club, in addition to other endeavors.

He expressed his deep gratitude to the Gudelsky family and to all Capitol’s benefactors, noting that their support allows students to focus on academic accomplishment.

 “For me, the Avram Gudelsky Memorial Scholarship was a perfect capstone to make things easier financially, so I could worry more about my education and less about my student debt,” Hansen said. “The scholarship has afforded me the best education possible. There’s truly no other school that teaches with so much hands-on material on industry-relevant topics.”

Capitol’s president, Michael T. Wood, also delivered remarks at the event, updating attendees on recent developments with the HERMES and TRAPsat projects, as well as on expansion plans for the university. Harvey Weiss, chairman of the Board of Trustees, introduced English.

More than 35 scholarships are available to Capitol students. For additional information, contact the Financial Aid office at finaid@captechu.edu.
 

Photos: 1) Trustee Sandra English; 2) Carl Hansen (center) with his parents; 3) attendees are seated as the event begins.