Student Spotlight: Megan Bent
In her three years at Durham College (DC), Megan Bent has just about done it all.
Currently enrolled in the Sport Business Management graduate certificate program, she’s already an Advertising and Promotion graduate. She’s a key member of the dominant Durham Lords women’s rugby team that went undefeated last season on its way to provincial gold. And for the second year in a row, she’s leading the way for the Durham College Student Association (DCSA) as executive chairperson.
Though she received a Bachelor of Global and International Studies from Carleton University, it wasn’t quite what she was looking for in a post-secondary experience.
“It just wasn’t the right fit for me. I learn best in a get-your-hands-dirty kind of way, and neither high school nor university played with mud.”
Her search for a more tactile education led her to DC, where she immediately made herself at home both in and out of the classroom. She jumped into student life by helping out at orientation events, and then successfully ran for the position of Media, Art and Design director on the DCSA board, before the outgoing chairperson advised her to pursue the leadership role.
“Getting the opportunity to join the board, I really got to understand the dynamics of our campus, how the association worked, and the things that we could offer to students,” she said.
Her smiling face has become a familiar sight on campus, and students know they can always approach her with their questions, concerns or friendly greetings.
She credits her counterparts at the DCSA for allowing her to do so much.
“I get a lot of praise for the things that we do, but we really have a well-oiled machine behind the scenes. They’re always pushing me to be better. They’re always taking care of me. I really couldn’t do what I do without them.”
Their support, as well as her own dedication and hard work, allows her to excel in class as well as on the rugby pitch. Now in her third season, she has embraced a leadership role on the team. In the same way she guides new students as DCSA president, she shares the benefit of her experience with the younger players on the team.
“When you’ve been on the circuit as long as I have, you have a lot of knowledge and a lot of insight,” she said. “I love playing with them. My team has been amazing. We’re there for each other.”
Her dedication to DC yielded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity last month, when she was chosen to deliver the ceremonial first pitch at the Toronto Blue Jays’ College and University Night. Members of the DC ball teams gave her some tips, and when the moment came, she threw a strike in front of a packed Rogers Centre.
“The stadium feels a lot bigger when you’re standing on the field than when you’re in the seats,” she said. “It was really cool representing our school and getting to see the crowd.”
She will soon be incorporating her passion for athletics with her education. In her upcoming field placement, she’ll be working with the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA). She’s already well acquainted with the organization as a member of its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee. Combining her multifaceted education with her love of sports would be an ideal career path for her.
Whatever her future holds, she knows it will be tough to say goodbye to DC.
“I’ll be pretty bummed because it’ll be the end of a chapter, and it’s been one of my favorite ones that I’ve ever got to write,” she said. “But then I also get to start a new chapter, and so I’m optimistic that my next stage of life will be as vibrant and lively as this one.”
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