A new academic year has officially begun at Capitol Technology University. Now that the new freshmen have completed orientation and the returning students have moved back into their dorms, it is time to review syllabi and press on with exciting projects. Assistant Director of Student Life & Residential Services Jason Kilmer, who coordinated both last week’s orientation and the weekend move-in of returning students, says, “The energy has certainly carried over from new student orientation to the first day of classes. Students have definitely put a charge back into campus and I am glad to see so many familiar faces.”
The Class of 2019 is the largest freshman class in Capitol’s recorded history. In addition to 79 first-time full-time freshman students, there are more than 40 additional new registered undergraduate students. The Class of 2019 is also the first group starting with us as Capitol Technology University since the institution changed its name last year. According to Dr. Michael T. Wood, President of Capitol, “The hallways, classrooms and lawn are buzzing with the excitement of over 120 new undergraduate students and those returning to complete their degrees. Their prospects for learning, college life, and future employment are exciting to behold.”
If you ask returning students what excites them about the starting the fall semester, you quickly learn how academically focused they are. Malik Powell (’18), who is studying computer science and cyber & information security, is excited to take his first cybersecurity class. He is also looking forward to meeting the Class of 2019. “I’m interested to see their ideas, and it’s always nice to have new people to talk to.” One of those new students, AJ Elliott (’19), will be studying computer engineering technology. He became interested in Capitol during the FIRST Robotics Challenge while he was in high school. “I heard it was very hands-on and very small, which would be great for me, so I got an application, filled it out, and I was in. Since it’s small, it helps with getting to know everyone.”
Many returning students had great internships over the summer. Drew Keller (’17), who is studying web development, interned for an IT company in Bulgaria for three months. “Some of their clients were really big, enterprise-grade load balancers with hundreds of servers, and we were their support team.” Keller is glad to be back, however. “It’s nice to see everyone back around. Everyone seems to be in a good mood starting the new semester.”
The faculty members are also thrilled to have the students back on campus. Pam Opeka, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, says, “It’s always fun to meet new students, and we’ve got lots of freshmen this year. I’m looking forward to getting the classes all settled, different students placed, and then going on from there.” Claude Rankin, Chair of Business and Liberal Arts, agrees. “Each first day of class represents a new opportunity to succeed, to grow, to find one’s self, and to develop one’s future. It’s not an opportunity you get every day out in the world.”
The doctoral program is also expanding this year, as Capitol launches the new PhD program in Management and Decision Sciences. “It’s an exciting time all around from freshmen through PhD groups,” says Dianne O’Neill, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services. Graduate classes will begin next week on Monday, August 24.