Since its start 80 years ago, Capitol College has remained true to its mission – preparing students for careers in a quickly changing world.

CREI Beginnings

Capitol College was founded as the Capitol Radio Engineering Institute in 1927 by Eugene H. Rietzke. A Navy veteran and radio operator, Rietzke foresaw the need for an advanced school that could produce talented radio and electronics technicians. CREI began as a correspondence school, but its popularity led to the 1932 opening of a residence division in Washington DC, allowing students to work hands on in laboratories. Following World War II, CREI became one of the first three technical institutes accredited by the Engineers’ Council for Professional Development.

CIT Expansion

In the mid-1950s, the school expanded to new programs in applied engineering and electronics. To reflect this evolution, the institute changed its name to Capitol Institute of Technology in 1964. It awarded its first bachelor of science degrees in 1966 to four graduates of its electronics engineering technology program. Anticipating the need for more room, Capitol relocated in 1969 to a leased building in Kensington, Maryland.

During the following decade, enrollment increased and so did the program offerings. Quickly outgrowing its space, Capitol’s leaders realized a need for a permanent home and began searching for a new campus.

In 1980 the college found its home in Laurel, Maryland. Capitol purchased and built up its campus on 52 acres that was the site of the Beltsville Speedway. Enrollment swelled, and a capital campaign raised millions for buildings, equipment and a scholarship endowment.

Capitol College Tranformation

In the late 1980s, Capitol’s leadership again recognized the transformation in the institution. The technical-based curriculum had become broader, with an increasing incorporation of humanities and social science courses. With a spacious campus and four-year degrees, the school had shed its skin as a technical institute. Preferring a title and an environment that would better suit its presence, the Board of Trustees changed the school’s name to Capitol College.

Master’s degrees were introduced in the 1990s as distance learning became more accessible. The college began several outreach efforts such as the NASA PREP summer program for minority students. The opening of the William G. McGowan Academic Center in 2005 marked the next era for the college. The academic center hosts an expanded computer science department and the Space Operations Institute.

Today Capitol is the only independent college in Maryland that specializes in providing a relevant education in engineering, business and related fields. A respected regional leader, Capitol attracts government agencies and corporate partners. Through a partnership with NASA, Capitol offers academic programs in astronautical engineering and practical training at its Space Operations Institute. The National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security have designated Capitol a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education.

While new innovations spur new developments and industries, the foundations that are taught at Capitol College – thinking critically, actively and creatively – remain. As it looks to its next 80 years, Capitol College remains committed to providing students with a quality education and the relevant experience to excel in a changing world.