Tiana Tiede and Micheal Grehan are on different career paths but share a love for science that won them the prestigious Sir William Stephenson Scholarship for 2022. Both maintained a record of achieving academic success and demonstrating extensive community service and volunteerism during their time at The University of Winnipeg, which led to them securing the $9,000 scholarship.
An award such as this one is a huge encouragement and has helped secure my motivations, affirm my successes, and encourage future ones.
Tiana Tiede
Tiana Tiede
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Tiede knew she wanted to stay close to home but still attend a university that would allow her to explore the ways chemistry intersects with biological systems. Her curiosity and dreams of becoming a doctor allowed her to embrace every opportunity at UWinnipeg.
“I am proud of the academic success I’ve achieved at UWinnipeg,” she said, “I am proud of the learning, knowledge, and skills I acquired in the process.”
Outside of school, Tiede was involved in several leadership positions allowing her to fulfill her benevolent need. Whether volunteering at her local church or caring for those in hospital, Tiede has shown a history of leadership, dedication to helping others, and a passion for academic success that made her a standout among other applicants.
“Words cannot describe how much it means when others express their belief and encouragement in who I am, my work, my skills, and my potential,” said Tiede. “An award such as this one is a huge encouragement and has helped secure my motivations, affirm my successes, and encourage future ones.”
Micheal Grehan
Since his introduction to physics at his small high school in the Manitoba countryside, Micheal Grehan has had a love for science and eagerness to solve the universe’s mysteries. During his time at UWinnipeg, Grehan worked alongside researchers such as Dr. Andrew Frey on projects investigating string theory and quantum gravity. With this guidance, Grehan has grown as a scientist and has even had his work relating to string theory published in the Journal of High Energy Physics.
Outside of the lab, Grehan acted as the Vice President of the Physics Student Association, fostering an inclusive community for physics students at UWinnipeg. All of his hard work has led Grehan to travel to Ontario, where he will continue his academic journey pursuing an MSc in Physics.
“My love for research motivated me to continue my studies,” said Grehan. “Receiving this award felt like an acknowledgment of the hard work I had invested over the previous four years of studies. As well, the financial relief of the award meant I was able to move to Toronto for my graduate studies.”
Background: Sir William Stephenson
Born on January 23, 1897 in Point Douglas, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sir William Samuel Stephenson, CC, MC, DFC was a Canadian soldier, airman, businessperson, inventor, lightweight boxing champion, and spymaster. In 1916 he volunteered for service in the 101st Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force and in 1917 was granted a commission in the RFC. By the end of World War I he had achieved the rank of Captain and earned the Military Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Croix de Guerre.
Between the wars, he became a wealthy industrialist, involved in the steel industry, the automobile industry, and aviation. He helped develop the Spitfire airplane and patented a way of sending photographs through wireless telegraph. As Director of British Security Coordination in the Western Hemisphere, he was an indispensable asset to the allies during World War II. In 1941, he set up Camp X at Whitby, Ontario, the first spy training school for clandestine wartime operations for the Allies. He became Churchill’s personal representative to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, with a mandate from both – from his base in New York City – to get public opinion changed to approve the US entering the War. He later became one of the first directors of public relations for the BBC. Stephenson is best known by his wartime intelligence code name “Intrepid” and has been referred to as “the Godfather of the CIA” whose initial members trained at Camp X. Many people consider him to be the real life inspiration for James Bond, and Ian Fleming, who trained at Camp X, once wrote that “James Bond is a highly romanticized version of a true spy. The real thing is…William Stephenson.”
In 1979, Stephenson received an honorary doctorate degree from The University of Winnipeg before contributing a significant gift to the University for the purpose of establishing the Sir William Stephenson Scholarships. Stephenson passed away in Bermuda in 1989.
