Hidden in plain sight, amidst the bustling energy of the Washington D.C. area, lies Capitol Technology University. It’s not a name that shouts from the rooftops, but within its walls, a unique story unfolds. Capitol Technology University began its life in 1927, not as a grand university, but as the humble Capitol Radio Engineering Institute. Founded by Eugene H. Rietzke, a former US Navy Radioman, it started as a correspondence school. Imagine learning about radio technology through letters sent back and forth! Just five years later, a residence division opened, giving students the chance to live and learn on campus. This first campus was located at the intersection of 16th Street NW and Park Road in Washington, D.C. Capitol Technology University held onto this location for three decades.
The post-World War II era brought a wave of change. In 1946, the institute earned accreditation from the Engineers’ Council for Professional Development, now known as ABET. This recognition signaled a commitment to quality education in engineering. Then, a significant shift happened in 1964. The institute sold its correspondence school division to McGraw-Hill and adopted a new name: Capitol Institute of Technology. This marked a move away from distance learning and a focus on traditional, on-campus education. The name change also reflected the broadening scope of their programs beyond just radio engineering.
The university’s journey continued with a move to Kensington, Maryland in 1969, followed by another relocation to its current home in Laurel, Maryland in 1983. Interestingly, this 52-acre campus was built on the former site of the Beltsville Speedway. From a correspondence school to a university on the grounds of a former speedway, Capitol Technology University’s history is anything but ordinary. The university continued to evolve, becoming Capitol College in 1987 and finally, Capitol Technology University in 2014. Today, Capitol Technology University offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, computer science, information technology, and business. It holds the distinction of being a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education. So, the next time you’re in the D.C. area, remember the quiet giant in Laurel. Capitol Technology University, a place where innovation and technology converge, built on a foundation of radio waves and a legacy of adaptation.