From Rookie Rower to OUA Champion
Meet at Trent Student: James Dyer
When James Dyer first arrived on campus as a new Environmental and Resource Studies student and novice rower, he had no idea he was looking at a future that included grad school and an experience competing as a rower on the national stage.
Mr. Dyer considers his time as a member of Trent Rowing to be “a formative experience.” He says that as a novice rower, he came into a community whose long-term success relied upon the athletic and academic successes of his boat mates. Crediting the Trent culture, as well as the camaraderie and good will of his team mates, Mr. Dyer explains: “I found tremendous peer support for my athletic development, a diverse group of focused academics who could challenge my thinking, and of course, a tightly bonded group of friends. I went from learning how to row, to winning an OUA gold medal with my double partner (Matthew Seaby), which was a near Hollywood ending to a three-year journey.”
Mr. Dyer feels that Trent University is a place for students who want to make a mark on their university experience, highlighting that events at the school, like Homecoming and the Head of the Trent Regatta, are born from ambitious students.
“Much of the action at the University is created by students, and results in a really genuine, vibrant atmosphere. It is a culture that pushes you to think critically and, being challenged along the way,” he says of his Trent experience.
This summer, Mr. Dyer is not only preparing for another exciting competitive season with Trent Rowing, but he is also preparing to pursue his Master’s in Sustainability Studies at Trent in the fall.
Trent University prides itself on providing an outstanding personal and interactive learning environment. This story is part of the Meet a Trent Student series, which highlights our many student success stories and the numerous dynamic programs offered at Trent.