Twenty-two year old Matthew Morison is a science student in his fourth year of a double major in math and geography. In addition to a strong grade point average, he spent last summer working in Churchill as a research assistant and at the Saving York Factory project, established in 2007 by Parks Canada. A multidisciplinary team of experts, including historians, engineers, archaeologists and local First Nations are studying the historic site's soils, permafrost, vegetation, river erosion and drainage. Morison is now completing an undergraduate thesis on groundwater hydrology as a result of his work with the project.

Morison’s career goal is to make a difference by working to improve climate change models. He recently received a $6,500 Sir William Stephenson scholarship to assist him in his studies.

“It is a huge honour, especially since Stephenson had an amazing range of accomplishments. It is very humbling, to hopefully one day follow in his footsteps,” said Morison. In 1984, Sir William Stephenson made a significant gift to The University of Winnipeg to establish the scholarships in his name. Known by the code name Intrepid, Sir William Stephenson started off as a poor Winnipeg hardware salesperson and ended up a Second World War spy legend and the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s hero, James Bond.

Morison is also an avid drummer with the band Salinas, and loves the arts, volunteering at the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival and Jazz Winnipeg Festival.

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