Linda "Little Lin" Tiede (1970-2012)

Everyone that knew Lin knew that she was a very giving, kind and selfless person. She was always thinking of everyone else. Whether it was volunteering at local charities, helping strangers or being there for friends when they needed. This continued all the way up until her passing. 


Wanting to spend her life helping others, she earned her Bachelors in Sociology from Potsdam State University in New York. Following college, she worked in a Children’s residential facility in New York before moving to Texas where she worked in a clinic and the Denton Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. While at Denton MHMR, she provided many services to the community, the homeless and a children’s center. 

She was also one tough cookie. Throughout her battle with cancer, she refused to be a victim and never wanted anybody to treat her like she was sick. I remember when her legs were in such pain from the chemo and other medications that she could barely walk.  She did have her walker, but she refused to get a handicap sticker and park close at the store. That is who she was.


Lin was a devoted mother of three and poured her heart and energy into her three young children. She will always be an example that they can look up to and be proud of.


In her honor, we established this scholarship in her name to help others in their journey from high school through college. Hopefully down the road they will continue the cycle and pay it forward to someone else.

For this scholarship, we have partnered with the SmallWorld Scholarship Program in Collin County Texas. This is a wonderful program which has given out multiple scholarships every year since 2001. These are full two year scholarships to Collin County Community College covering tuition, books and fees and come complete with mentors to help the students adapt and overcome the typical challenges that come with adjusting to college life. For more information about this and other programs offered, please go to the following link...Small World.


Scholarship value - $4,500

Past Winners

2022 - Marina Schulte

2023 -

2024 - Miguelangel

Gil-Rodriguez

2025 - Graceyn Eckols