Editor’s Note: The following story was prepared for the Louisville Defender’s African-American Achievers’ Edition. It was published in the Feb. 14, 2013 edition.
By Christina L. Kern, office assistant
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| Monica Bamwine |
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Monica Bamwine, director for graduate and professional studies enrollment management, loves seeing student fulfill their dreams. Bamwine is a part of Campbellsville University’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies,
A native of Uganda, Bamwine grew up where college was a privilege—there was only one university in her country in Africa.
“I had to work hard to be the best and make it to college,” Bamwine said.
“Education is important because of my background,” she said. “People here have opportunities they don’t know they have in gaining a higher education.”
Bamwine never thought of going into higher education, but she said, “I’m here because the Lord brought me here.”
While at church in Kenya with her family, her former husband made a prayer request to go to the United States. Within one year, a professor from New York was in Kenya looking for an African student to go to the U.S. “We didn’t lift a finger; God did the work,” she said.
Eventually, Bamwine came to Campbellsville University where again, she said, “I didn’t lift a finger; God did the work.”
She began as an adjunct instructor in the School of Business and Economics then later was hired in the Office of Admissions as transfer coordinator in April 2000. She later became graduate coordinator and is now a director with the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. With each promotion, she said, “I didn’t lift a finger; God did the work.”
Bamwine said her new position, which began in July 2012, requires wearing a lot of hats. “I knew it would be challenging—and that’s why I took it,” she said.
When she gets discouraged, Bamwine said she remembers how blessed she is and it’s “a God thing.”
Her daughter, Trisha, graduated from CU in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international education. She received a master of sociology from Western Kentucky University and is currently working toward her doctorate in social work at the University of Pittsburgh.
She said she has felt like a mom to many African-American students she has met through the Office of Admissions and she has “adopted” many students over the years.
Bamwine said, “I love seeing people graduate, succeed and fulfill their dreams. That fulfills me more than any challenge I’m going through.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.