May 16, 2005 Laurel, Maryland

Don't set limits on yourself. Whenever there are tough situations, seek first to understand. Never be afraid to believe in a vision or a goal.

Those were just a few “tips” learned through experience that commencement speaker J. Kelly Brown offered to the Capitol College Class of 2005 at the annual graduation ceremony Saturday, May 14.

During his keynote address to a graduating class of 256 and their guests, Brown recalled early in his career when working for a small, private company.  His colleagues scoffed at his excitement about receiving stock options. They all laughed at him, saying the company would never go public and his stock would be worth little.

“I still believed in the corporate vision and the people. And I worked hard to do my part,” Kelly said.  “Well, guess what, we went public and those lowly stock options enabled me to found my own company.  So, don't be afraid to believe in a vision and work for it. Even if it doesn't succeed the first time, I guarantee you will learn valuable lessons that you can apply next time.”

The company Kelly founded is EMSolutions, an Arlington-based engineering firm that provides systems, network and software engineering to government and commercial clients.

A Capitol College alumnus and member of the Board of Trustees, Brown graduated summa cum laude in 1977 with a bachelor of science in electronics engineering technology.  As he shared some of his Capitol experiences, Kelly reminded the graduates that with their degrees they can walk through any door open to them, take on any opportunities that come their way.

“One of the really cool things about the education that I received at Capitol is that it has enough detail and yet it's also broad enough,” Kelly said.  “No matter what has been thrown at me since I got out of school, I have had the educational underpinnings to tackle it.  Software, hardware, systems – no matter, I have been able to successfully work in each environment.” 

Four bachelor's degree recipients were recognized for earning a 4.0 grade point average: Ian Banks, Bradley Iden, Michael McVeigh and Kimberly Shirey.

Iden received a second commendation by winning the Marilyn and Seymour Levenson Memorial Award, an award that honors his exceptional interest in the liberal arts and humanities. In presenting the honor, Professor Laura Dickinson said Iden, who completed the software engineering program, exemplified the spirit of the award.

“They say it's the quiet ones you have to watch out for. He's quiet, but one with exceptional ability,” Dickinson said. “His work reflected thoughtful discovery.”

The second award traditionally presented at commencement went to Charles Hodanics, a junior who was named the 2005-2006 winner of the Avrum Gudelsky Memorial Scholarship. The award, presented annually to a rising senior, is the highest scholastic commendation from the college.

A student in the computer science and network security programs, Hodanics received the honor after an arduous application and selection process. Gudelsky Scholars get nearly full paid tuition during their senior year.

To represent the class and its gratitude, graduating student James Bolyard presented the college with the class gift – a donation toward the new William G. McGowan Academic Center and two statues commemorating the Apollo 13 and space shuttle Columbia missions. The Class of 2005 name will be etched into a glass pane in the McGowan Academic Center and placed next to dozens of other donors.

“Just as the architects and builders have brought this magnificent building to life, so have the faculty and staff of Capitol College helped to build our knowledge and skills to the level at which they are today,” said Bolyard, chair of the class gift committee who majored in software and Internet applications. “Unlike this new building and this amazing campus, we are not limited on how remarkable we can be. ... It is the Class of 2005's hope that these donations may enhance Capitol College's environment just as Capitol College has enhanced our knowledge.”