Photography by Kamau Wise, C’28
“His growth in character manifests itself in some simple ways,” says philosophy professor Stephen McGinley about Kamau Wise, C’28. “He has more self-confidence, which is reflected in his speech. He dresses professionally, like he has dignity. His very posture has changed from his first weeks on campus and reveals a discovered self-worth in the God who created him good.”
Today Kamau is wearing a Rise in Hope t-shirt.
He’s on a semester-long study abroad in Ireland where, in addition to taking courses, he’s visited Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains National Park and the Aran Islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay.
“I took this picture,” he says, “because it represents where I come from and where I am now. I’ve never seen views anywhere close to this.” Founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin, Glendalough became one of the Early Christian Ireland’s foremost monastic centers. In the glacial valley’s awe-inspiring stillness and solitude, Kamau says it was beautiful and peaceful and quiet.
Where Kamau comes from is more than 3,000 miles away from the Emerald Isle in southwest Baltimore. When Kamau was only six years old, his father passed away. By age twelve, a drug overdose had taken his mother. “I wouldn’t have wished it to happen, but it has made me who I am today. It’s made me stronger and wiser than most people my age,” the 19-year-old says. Even with the help of a great counselor in middle school at Mother Seton Academy, though, life was extremely hard.
“It was an emotional thing to lose two parents that young,” he said. “It got to a point where I learned at a young age that you can’t always expect what’s going to happen next.”
Kamau’s step-mom took care of him, the youngest of five brothers, until his final year at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. Her history of drug use returned. He moved out. Kamau would find support and shelter with his girlfriend’s family—providing him the stability he craved. “They accepted me and treated me like their family. I really appreciated that. My situation was all over the place; that stability was so helpful.”
But it wasn’t easy. Living farther away meant leaving at 6 a.m. to get to school on time, completing a capstone project to graduate, and working late into the evenings at McDonald’s five days a week. He didn’t get much sleep or treat himself with care. “I knew it was temporary, so I persevered. I leaned on everybody around me; that’s what kept me going,” he added.
The Mount is a popular choice for students from Cristo Rey. Kamau originally wanted to go to college out of state. “I was fed up living in Baltimore. I wanted to get away,” he said. But he didn’t escape—and says he eventually came to his senses. As the decision deadline approached and spring arrived, Kamau’s guidance counselor suggested the Mount.
“I just spoke with Chad Newmaster, my admissions counselor. He helped me along the way. His hospitality made me feel confident about the Mount.”
Kamau’s financial situation was a challenge. He was calling daily, trying to figure out solutions. Then hospitality brought hope. Newmaster, C’07, MAT’14, nominated Kamau, and his now roommate, to become Third Century Scholars.
Within those three weeks before school started, Kamau received funding from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation to start and pursue his academic journey. “Those funds covered the balance that I owed—and I truly appreciate everyone who made that possible and all the support I received.”
When Kamau arrived on campus, he met Vice President for Human Resources and Community Engagement Paula Whetsel-Ribeau, Ph.D. “She is so accepting. She is always very excited to see me and she’s welcoming. I appreciate that,” he says with a huge smile. A self-described introvert, Kamau confesses those first weeks on campus gave him a sense of community. He met Chad in person. He met his success advisor, Jose Del Valle.
“The first person I took a liking to was Professor Stephen McGinley,” Kamau says. “He’s been great; I love people who are genuinely themselves. He’s intelligent and has an answer for everything. If he doesn’t, he’ll try to find the answer.” McGinley asked Kamau to add philosophy as a major, but he already had two: computer science and cybersecurity. So Kamau agreed to a philosophy minor.
Although Kamau is a Mount Guide and also works as an employee of the Mount’s food service provider, Aramark, his first job was at the Career Center. There he met Joshua Spivey, who Kamau says was like a great father-figure. Spivey also experienced the loss of a parent. His recent dissertation on how students in K-12 who lose a parent can get to higher education earned him a doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership.
Spivey also invited Kamau to AfroTech, an annual gathering for Black tech innovators which was held in Houston, Texas, where he said he made more than 50 connections through LinkedIn and learned from experts at Amazon and Microsoft. Kamau says the trip was inspiring and motivated and encouraged him to see what he could achieve.
Director of the Pre-Law Program and First Year Symposium Ed Egan, JD, convinced Kamau to choose Ireland. “I’ve been able to meet people and build connections that otherwise may not have been possible. I’ve been able to travel and see the world. I’ve been to places I’d never dreamed of visiting,” he admits.
Kamau says he would like to get a cybersecurity job with the federal government. He wants to have a family, a happy home, a comfortable life, and be a father one day, too. He envisions being a father who is present, open, reliable, genuine, and steady.
“I hope my kids look up to me, because I could have been homeless or doing things I had no business doing. But I pushed through and endured.” That’s the very meaning of his name: quiet warrior, silent fighter—one who perseveres, continues, persists.
When Kamau returns to his mountain home this fall, he will resume his work as a Mount Guide, mentoring 25-30 new freshmen and transfer students as they arrive on campus.
“Studying abroad in Ireland and securing a position as a Mount Guide to welcome and support new students are examples of his commitment to his academic, personal, and social journey at the Mount,” said Associate Dean for Student Experience Wendy Brubaker.
Associate Director of the Office of Advising and Advisor for Third Century Scholars Tabitha Koelzer has worked alongside Kamau for the past year and a half. “I have seen him grow remarkably. One of the things that stands out most is his genuine use of a growth mindset,” she said. “He uses challenges to better himself, enjoys learning how to look at the world from different perspectives, and fully embraces the opportunities the Mount has to offer.”
Kamau says people often come to him for advice. He is appreciative when others share their problems with him because he is open to listening. “I try to make every interaction a good one. You never know what someone is going through—so a quick compliment or an introduction can go a long way for some people.”
Sitting in the living room in the house in Ireland, wearing his Rise in Hope t-shirt, Kamau points to a tattoo on his left arm. 4122. That’s the street address where he lived as a baby. “The tattoo reminds me of where I come from and reminds me that my mom is watching over me and that people expect me to do good things,” he says without hesitation.
He holds up a photo taken in the living room of that childhood home. It’s dated mainly by a large gray box television set. Kamau is the smallest, maybe five years old. His older brother Donell stands behind him. His God sister Tayla rounds out the trio. A moment frozen in time.
They are happy, as kids are, for no special reason.
“My mom really enjoyed watching comedy shows,” he says. “Even though we had a lot going on, we had a place to stay, all the games we wanted. A basketball hoop, a foosball table. It was a place where people came together and would hang out. That’s why community is important to me. That feels like home.”
A Bible sits on his desk. Kamau says he reads the Psalms. The Psalms show us how to bring our sorrow to God, to thank God for answering our prayers, and to proclaim His greatness.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?” he asks.
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
To gaze on the beauty.
In the day of trouble he will keep me safe.
He will set me high upon a rock.
Be merciful to me.
You have been my savior.
Though my mother and father forsake me, the Lord receives me.
Teach me your way.
Lead me on the straight path.
I remain confident.
I will see the goodness of the Lord.
Wait.
Be strong. Take heart.
“It’s been hard for me to convey my emotions at times,” Kamau admits. “I kept things in for a long time and really relied on people around me.” The Psalms teach us to express our emotions to God in every circumstance, reminding us that God is the beginning and the end. In Psalm 27, David acknowledges that life isn’t fair and that he, too, would have lost faith without the promises of God.
Kamau says: “To me, I’m watched over by the Lord. I know that.” His step-mom graduated from her rehabilitation program. He has a great support system with his family, his girlfriend, and his Mount family.
“When I think about where I come from and where I am now, I think about everyone who wants me to do good, and I think about my family. I think about being who I am. I think about people going through things that are harder than I could imagine. I’m not the only one with problems,” he says. “I stay positive and think about the bigger picture.”
As McGinley said, Kamau’s character is manifested in simple ways. “He greets people with a smile. He demonstrates a patience with his peers that can only have arisen through much suffering. He strives to love in truth and pursues the truth in love.” He rises in hope.