By PG Proud Staff
Graduating college is always a milestone, but for the Class of 2026 at Laurel’s Capitol Technology University, commencement day came with a life-changing, golden surprise.
During the university’s graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 2, keynote speaker, visionary space entrepreneur, and distinguished Capitol Tech alumnus Dr. Kam Ghaffarian did far more than deliver words of inspiration. He shocked the entire graduating class by presenting each student with a mysterious gold envelope. Inside was a crisp, $1,500 cash gift to jumpstart their post-grad journeys.
For the graduates gathered at the Prince George’s County campus, the gesture turned an already historic day into an unforgettable celebration of academic success and community support.
The Power of Seed Funding and Paying It Forward
Dr. Ghaffarian’s generosity is deeply rooted in his own journey. When he first immigrated to the United States to pursue his education, his uncle loaned him a few hundred dollars—a small act of faith that acted as the seed money for an extraordinary career.
“I want every graduate to leave today knowing that someone believes in them and in their potential. I was lucky to have people who believed in me, and it made all the difference. This gift is a token of that belief,” Dr. Ghaffarian said. “Today’s graduates are stepping into a civilization-scale moment, powered by technologies that are elevating everything we do and redefining what is possible. I hope this reminds them to think limitlessly, that they have the potential to create their own future, and to always pay it forward.”
Dr. Ghaffarian is a proud, two-time alumnus of Capitol Tech, having earned his Bachelor’s in Electronics Engineering Technology in 1983 and his PhD in Technology in 2022. Today, he is recognized as a global titan in aerospace and disruptive technologies. Named one of Forbes’ Top 250 America’s Greatest Innovators, his companies are reshaping the future: Axiom Space was named one of TIME’s 10 Most Influential New Frontiers Companies, and his nuclear energy venture, X-energy, recently went public on the Nasdaq.
Beyond business, he is a passionate philanthropist who founded the Limitless Space Institute to advance STEM education and interstellar research.
A Historic Milestone for a Local Leader
The jaw-dropping surprise adds to an already momentous era for Capitol Technology University. Located right in Laurel, the institution has long been a quiet powerhouse for Prince George’s County, consistently ranking #1 in the state of Maryland for graduate salaries across all degree levels.
As the university prepares to celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2027, university leadership noted that Dr. Ghaffarian’s historic gesture perfectly embodies the school’s mission to launch the next generation of pioneering STEM professionals into lucrative, high-impact careers.
“Graduations are a time of achievement, reflection, and great opportunity,” said Dr. Bradford Sims, President of Capitol Technology University. “Dr. Ghaffarian’s gift to our Class of 2026 is truly appreciated and will stand as a memorable and inspiring highlight of this milestone occasion.”
With a degree in hand, a top-tier earning potential, and a crisp $1,500 in their pockets, Prince George’s County’s newest STEM leaders are officially ready to take on the world—and the space digital frontier.
