Sir William Stephenson Scholarship
Taylor Cangemi and Gracie Grift are this year’s recipients of the Sir William Stephenson Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded annually to one or two students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, superior leadership qualities on or off campus, and the potential to make a valuable contribution to Canada.
Taylor Cangemi
Taylor Cangemi is easy to spot on the volleyball court. She leads the squad both on and off the court through her dedication to fitness and academics. The Calgary native is in her third season with the Wesmen and her fourth year as an Honours Biology student.
Taylor is proud of how close she is with her teammates plus her peers and professors in the science department. “When I graduated from high school, UWinnipeg was not one of the universities on my radar. Initially, I didn’t know what to expect. After moving on my own in 2020 and starting classes during the pandemic, I’m happy to say my teammates became my immediate family. Since then, I have come to love the campus and the relationships I have made within the faculty.”
My efforts in the classroom, the life lessons I’ve learned as part of the volleyball team, and receiving this scholarship all have a role to play as I strive towards this goal.
TAYLOR CANGEMI
Taylor has spent her academic career in wildlife conservation. Between volleyball seasons, she’s hard at work as a research assistant, helping Dr. Craig Willis as part of the UWinnipeg Bat Lab, a group of researchers and students who study bat populations in Manitoba and Ontario. Taylor hopes to see her first academic paper published at the end of 2024 in the Journal of North American Bat Research. She also worked as a research assistant in Dr. Caleb Hasler’s Fish Lab, helping master’s students with their projects on lake trout and sauger conservation and management on Manitoba’s lakes.
Taylor plans to begin her master’s degree in either Field Zoology or Marine Biology at the University of Melbourne. “Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to be a nature scientist,” said Taylor. “Now that I’m older, I’m realizing what it takes for me to achieve my dream in this field. My efforts in the classroom, the life lessons I’ve learned as part of the volleyball team, and receiving this scholarship all have a role to play in reaffirming my ambition as I strive towards this goal.”
Taylor will begin her first internship abroad this summer working with marine biologists and conservation officers in Costa Rica to protect local sea turtle colonies.
Gracie Grift
Gracie Grift has spent her undergraduate career supporting her peers as President of The University of Winnipeg Indigenous Students’ Association and improving our understanding of respiratory physiology as part of Dr. Yannick Molgat-Seon’s team of researchers.
“Being awarded the Sir William Stephenson Scholarship was extremely exciting. Being recognized by others who saw the value in my work was an honour. Receiving such a considerable scholarship also allows me to continue volunteering without having to stress over my finances.”
Promoting mentorship opportunities across departments and helping new Indigenous students seek their own success in the world of STEM is a rewarding process I am proud to support.
GRACIE GRIFT
Gracie knew she wanted to develop a strong relationship with professors and fellow Indigenous students. “Their passion, coupled with the academic opportunities offered to me during my first year as part of the Pathways to Education program have shaped my experience as an undergrad so far.”
Gracie has volunteered in many ways, including as a youth instructor at Wiii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre’s after school science program, Vice-President of UWinnipeg’s Canadian Indigenous Science and Engineering Society, and as Infinity Women’s Secretariat Delegate on the Winnipeg Youth Advisory Council under the Manitoba Métis Federation. “Part of what drives my ambition as a volunteer is helping encourage Indigenous inclusion and cultural continuity for students who come to UWinnipeg hoping to see their heritage represented on our campus,” she said. “Promoting mentorship opportunities across departments and helping new Indigenous students seek their own success in the world of STEM is a rewarding process I am proud to support.”
Gracie was also awarded the Dr. Annette Trimbee Indigenous Excellence Scholarship. “Earning Dr. Annette Trimbee’s Scholarship was something I was also truly excited to be a part of. Dr. Trimbee is a strong leader in the Métis community and has always inspired me through her own success. She has shaped what is possible for Métis people to achieve, which made receiving this award such a surreal moment.”
Gracie’s research involves learning the difference between female and male breathing mechanics. “There is a considerable level of knowledge disparity in this area of respiratory science that our lab is attempting to remedy via our research. I’m proud of what we have accomplished because the studies we handle act as a precursor to developing better diagnosis and treatment plans for individuals with respiratory issues.”
Dr. and Mrs. Roderick Hunter Scholarship
Grace Harding and Meagan Dutka are recipients of the Dr. and Mrs. Roderick Hunter Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students with high academic standing, outstanding leadership qualities, and significant extracurricular involvements on campus.
Grace Harding
Third-year neuroscience student Grace Harding is often awake far earlier than her peers. She wakes up at 5 a.m. ready to practice rowing on the Red River with her teammates before heading to class.
“UWinnipeg has been great to me these past three years,” said Grace. “My professors are invested in my education, and I’ve been able to meet so many amazing people as part of my role as Social Media Manager for the Students of Science Association (SOSA).”
I feel truly honored to be recognized for my leadership, academic performance, and for sharing the same qualities that Dr. Rodrick valued during his lifetime.
GRACE HARDING
Grace notes that much of the support and academic guidance she received from the science community helped her secure scholarships and build connections outside of the classroom. “I’ve spent much of my senior year here trying to give back to a community that has helped me find my own success. Organizing seminars, coordinating student events, and making sure that new students have the opportunity to network with professionals across our campus is truly rewarding.”
Grace is humbled to receive the scholarship. “What I have learned about Dr. Hunter and his wife Doris is that the pair truly valued contributing to and giving back to the communities you find yourself a part of. This is something I’ve taken to heart over the years and tried to incorporate in my own life both on and off campus—whether it be helping students in SOSA navigate UWinnipeg, becoming a camp counselor at the same summer camp I went to as a kid, or becoming a swim instructor for the same swim school that taught me how to swim when I was young. I feel truly honored to be recognized for my leadership, academic performance, and for sharing the same qualities that Dr. Rodrick valued during his lifetime.”
After graduating in June, Grace hopes to attend medical school at either the University of Manitoba or University of British Columbia. “I want to find a career that I am really passionate about. The beauty of medicine is that there is something for everyone, so I hope to use medical school to explore my options. I don’t like things that are too easy, so my ideal job would let me problem-solve and challenge my skills!”
After medical school, Grace plans to continue working in Manitoba as a physician—and to keep rowing.
Meagan Dutka
Meagan Dutka is passionate about peacebuilding and conflict prevention. As a fifth-year Human Rights Studies and Conflict Resolution major, her interest has led to many trips to Zambia working as a member of the Eagles of Change, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating young people on the dangers of substance abuse, and promoting mental health awareness. Meagan has helped raise funding, develop anti-drug abuse curriculums, and been a guest speaker at numerous schools across the capital of Lusaka.
It is such an honor to win the Dr. and Mrs. Roderick Hunter Scholarship.
MEAGAN DUTKA
In addition to Meagan’s efforts in Zambia, she is an active volunteer here in Manitoba, working with the Police Accountability Coalition and the University’s Global Collage Student Advisory Council. Off campus, Meagan works as a Resident Support Mentor with the Indigenous Women’s Healing Centre, where she helps support incarcerated women as they transition back into their communities.
“It is such an honor to win the Dr. and Mrs. Roderick Hunter Scholarship,” said Meagan. “This achievement serves as a reminder to myself that hard work pays off, and it encourages me to remain focused and dedicated to leadership and peacebuilding. I am truly so excited to see what the future holds!”
Meagan will head to Quebec City this summer to take part in a French immersion program. After that, she plans to return to Zambia to continue her work with Eagles of Change. She hopes to pursue a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Her goal is to work for any of the large, African-based organizations involved in peacebuilding and community development.
