A natural fit

Twenty-two-year-old Paul Manning has always had a keen interest in nature, so a degree in agriculture seemed a great way to learn more about the environment and develop his passion for living things. This passion has led Manning to Oxford University and a Rhodes Scholarship.

Named Dalhousie’s 87th Rhodes Scholar this past fall, Manning plans to pursue a Master of Science in Zoology, with a focus on ecology 
and conservation. He is excited to study in an environment with the scholarly diversity that Oxford offers, but eager to establish his career 
back home in Nova Scotia.

“I really want to come back and work in the Maritimes and work in the agricultural sector, hopefully with some teaching and research . . . 
I’d love to be in the Annapolis Valley. It’s where I call home and there’s some amazing agriculture to work on, but I’d love to be anywhere in the Maritimes, really, especially Nova Scotia. It’s where my roots are.”

Manning, who specializes in organic agriculture, had a stellar academic record, with two Undergraduate Student Research Awards from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to his name. He was also president of the Dalhousie Agricultural Students’ Association, representing all students on Dal’s Agricultural Campus in student government and leading the planning of major events such as first-year orientation. He has interned with the Canadian International Development Agency, organized flood relief efforts for Pakistan and was an accomplished athlete – named most valuable player on the Rams’ cross-country team last year.

“There is a strong sense of community that you can feel immediately upon arriving on campus,” says Manning.

“During my first few days at school I remember thinking, ‘Everybody seems to love it here, and they want everyone else to love it just as much!’ I hope that during the past four years I’ve been successful in encouraging others to engage with, and develop a love for, our unique and wonderful campus community.”