Patrick Gwamna recently joined Union as a major gift officer, bringing with him a passion for building personal relationships with donors and connecting their interests with the College’s priorities. His work includes securing major contributions to support everything from everyday activities to long-term strategic goals.
The move to Union also brought Gwamna to a new part of the country. An Iowa native, he and Perci, his Frenchton, arrived in Schenectady a little over a year ago after Gwamna spent several years in Kansas City, Mo., where he worked at Graceland University.
He was drawn to Union in part because of its small-college feel—a quality he remembers well from his own college experience.
Patrick Gwamna with his fiancee, Sara, at his parents' anniversary party.
“I was really attracted to Union because I wanted that small college feel again,” he said. “When I was in college, I did everything. I played football while also being in the band and choir so I know how important it is to be at a place that lets you pursue all of your interests.”
When not at work, he enjoys hanging with friends, going to concerts and comedy shows, traveling and lifting weights.
FIRST APP YOU LOOK AT IN THE MORNING: Reddit. It’s a problem, but I enjoy getting a little dose of world news, nerdy music, anime stuff and sports.
WHAT ARE YOU READING: “Will” by Will Smith A great story about humbling yourself and knowing when to speak up; “Narragansett Justice” by Robert B. Stone ‘70; and “Ed Sheeran: A Visual Journey” by Ed Sheeran and Phillip Butah.
WHAT ARE YOU STREAMING: Premier League (Go Man City!), NBA League Pass, "Ted Lasso," "Degrassi," "House of the Dragon," "Friday Night Lights" and "Entourage."
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU RECEIVED: "Remember whose child you are." This is a Yoruba proverb shared with me and my brother’s kids by Dr. Bitrus Gwamna.
ONE SKILL YOU WISH YOU HAD: The ability to speak any language fluently. I have family members capable of speaking multiple languages. Meanwhile, I tend to hang in some conversations just smiling and waving, picking up only on small words and phrases I know.
THREE DINNER PARTY GUESTS (living or deceased): Larry David. He genuinely cracks me up; he doesn’t even have to try to be funny, he just is; Eiichiro Oda, to me, one of the most skillful writers of our time. I find his work to be top-tier; and Harriet Tubman or one of my grandmas: I would love to know the ins and outs of where she summoned the bravery to free the many people she did. I added the grandma bit because I have never met either one of my grandmas but I have heard many great things about them.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU: Both of my parents were college professors from Nigeria, and my father was completely blind.
FAVORITE UNION MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: Going to the Magic Conference in Connecticut with the team. I got to meet so many peers from various institutions all over the United States that I’m still in contact with to this day. It also helped the team bond; we are probably closer because of that.
I USE AI FOR: Email reformatting, overcoming writer's block and asking it to generate nerdy, made-up pictures.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF: Some people were not made to go where you are going, and that is okay. Don’t take it personally.