Why did you choose to attend Bowdoin?
I chose to attend Bowdoin for the academics and breadth of opportunity. It was the best education I could receive, and I was (and am) honored to have the opportunity. But there is also so much more to attending Bowdoin. You can take so many paths here and pursue a diverse array of opportunities. It is unfortunate I have not been able to try it all in my short time as a student. Additionally, I wanted an athletic environment where I felt I could make an impact. Contributing to the team score has been a greatly rewarding aspect of my collegiate career.
Why did you choose to be a Division III student-athlete?
I chose to be a Division III student-athlete because it was the environment in which I could emphasize academics while still pursuing my sport at a high level. There are some incredible athletes within the NESCAC and Division III running generally. I knew I was not above their level of performance and wanted to compete against that excellence while also being a part of a school that values its academics and the entire student experience.
What is the best thing about being part of the NESCAC?
The best part about being a part of the NESCAC is the sense of unity between the schools. To be sure, my NESCAC competitors are my fiercest rivals and I want nothing more than to beat them on race day. At the same time, however, that desire comes from a place of respect and understanding that we have all chosen similar paths in coming to the NESCAC. I often chat with other runners after races, and it is always a pleasant surprise to see how much we have in common. I love that sense of shared experience and the understanding that underneath the uniforms we all have something in common.
What is your dream job/career?
My dream career involves work helping to address the current and future effects of climate change on our planet. That might take the form of environmental law, urban planning, non-profit work, or something else. Above all, I feel that climate change will be one of the defining issues of this century, and I hope to make whatever small impact I can on this complex issue.
What is something you enjoy doing that you never get tired of?
Long meals with my teammates after practice. This is what I missed most during the period of remote learning. Going on a run and then sitting down with my best friends for a long dinner is rewarding and relaxing. Those meals have shaped my experience in college and are my most cherished memories.
What internships/research projects have you participated in?
This past summer I worked for the City of Bath (Maine) in its Planning and Development Department. I was the GIS intern, meaning I helped create maps of various aspects of the City, such as their sewer system. I learned so much about the workings of municipal government Throughout my internship and ultimately gained an appreciation for the role of public service on the smallest scale. I also made lasting friendships and connections with people I otherwise would not have.
What has been the most interesting part of your major?
Environmental Studies is a coordinate major, meaning that Bowdoin stresses the interdisciplinary nature of environmental issues. As an Environmental Studies major, I am required to study another subject to help broaden the scope I can take when approaching environmental issues. Studying English has helped me understand the power that literature can have on shaping public discourse. Reading Thoreau, Carson, and Leopold have all shown me the literary roots that our current environmental consciousness possesses.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete?
The most admirable student-athletes do not have to be those that perform the best on race day. The most admirable student-athletes are those who pursue the sport for themselves and not some external marker of success. They have confidence in themselves and can walk away from a race satisfied if they have done all they can to prepare and be the best they can be. These people often go on to be exceptional in other areas of their lives as well, demonstrating that there are many ways to be great.
What advice would your 2021-22 self give your 2017-18 self?
You know very little, and you will not know much more three years from now. But that is okay. Stop trying to answer the big questions right now. Enjoy college, try many things, and take opportunities as they arise.
Who has been the most influential person on you during your time in college?
My friend and teammate Michael Dean. One word I would use to describe him is devoted. He is devoted to his academics, to his running, and his friends. I have always trusted his judgment and admired his ability to make decisions. He inspires me to be more devoted to things that matter in my own life. Beyond all that, he inspires me to continue beating him in Mario Kart, because I know he can’t stand it.
