The Capitol College community gathered on Saturday, May 12 for the Commencement ceremony of the Class of 2012 and welcomed Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown as the Commencement speaker.
“History will look back on your generation, and ask: What difference did you make in this world?” Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown said. “How did you serve your neighbor, your community?”
As the college community celebrated the achievements of this year’s graduating class, Brown reflected on the successes of the graduating students, while keeping them focused on the future.
“Today represents a great achievement, but you are actually just getting started,” Brown said. “Your graduation is the beginning of a journey that will shape who you are and what you will do with your life.”
For the members of the Class of 2012, there will be many memories from this year’s Commencement, including the advice bestowed by the Lt. Gov. Brown.
As Capitol College president Dr. Michael T. Wood took the podium to thank members of the board, faculty, staff, students and family members, he also took time to detail some of the achievements of the graduating class.
Of the 174 students to graduate in 2012, 59 received bachelor’s degrees and 114 received master’s degree. The momentous occasion was capped off with the conferring of one Doctor of Science degree in information assurance, as Dr. Jason Pittman became the first student to graduate from the D.Sc. program created in 2010.
Among the 59 bachelor degrees recipients, electrical engineering was the most popular major, and graduates ranged in age from 20 to 53 years old. Wood also mentioned the pride he had for the master’s degree recipients, of which 38% graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA. The average GPA for master’s graduates was 3.8. Loud applause was reserved for Mark Anscombe, Jr. and Mark Anscombe, Sr., the father-son duo who each graduated with a master’s degree.
“Not only am I proud of your academic achievements, but I must also point out your excellence outside the classroom and textbooks,” Wood said. “We have consistently received kudos from government agencies like NASA and The National Security Agency, and from private companies, about your project work for them that comprised part of your practical, hands-on learning experiences with Capitol.”
After Wood made his remarks, various awards were presented to outstanding Capitol scholars. The first was the presentation of the Avrum Gudelsky Memorial Scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year to Carter Waxman. Next, the Marilyn and Seymour Levenson Memorial Award was presented to Breah Sandoval for her academic achievements. Lastly, the Distinguished Student Service Award was given to Jazmin Lockett for her outreach efforts on campus and in the local community.
“The world of work, citizenship and leadership is ready for you, and you are educated for that world,” Wood said to the entire graduating class. “Thank you for having let Capitol College help you grow and succeed.”