In memoriam Catherine Fichten

By now many members of the Dawson community have heard that Dr. Catherine Fichten, an esteemed member of the Psychology Department and the founder and co-director of the Adaptech Research Network, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 and her funeral took place the day after.

Catherine leaves behind a remarkable legacy of teaching and research. Her accomplishments were many and varied, but she will be remembered by those who had the privilege to study or work with her as a remarkable individual who used every interaction as an opportunity to mentor others. Little wonder that social psychology drew her away from her original undergraduate studies of chemistry at McGill University.

Shortly upon completion of her master’s degree in psychology, Catherine began her teaching career when Dawson College opened its doors in 1969. Her courses in Psychology of Sexuality and Abnormal Psychology were always popular with students, but not just because of the subject matter.

Catherine’s inclusive approach to teaching was sparked by an interest in pedagogy that began early in her career. In 1977, she published a paper on the effects of examination retest procedures on performance, test anxiety and attitudes. In those days the notion of retesting was viewed as quite progressive, even radical. Although research and clinical practice took more of her time in later years, Catherine always made certain that she taught at least one course per year. She valued her contact with students and the changing teaching practices that make higher education more inclusive.

Alongside teaching, Catherine began to develop her identity as a researcher. One of her earliest studies, in 1983, examined the social interaction between physically disabled and non-disabled college students. The Adaptech Research Network was founded in 1996 and consisted of a team of academics, students and other stakeholders.

By the late 1990’s Catherine was seen as a leader in CEGEP research; her study into Learning Technologies and Students with Disabilities in Postsecondary Education (1999) was the largest, nation-wide, empirically based, bilingual research study of its kind in Canada.  No surprise that Catherine’s work continued to be recognized with awards such as the Prix Reconnaissance of the Association pour la recherche au collégial (ARC) in 2004. Her reputation went beyond Canada as researchers from the United States, Israel, Great Britain and Germany sought her collaboration in international projects.

Catherine understood the power of technology and through research demonstrated the important role it played in the lives of individuals with disabilities. She was also concerned that the high cost of technology might be a barrier for many students. The Free and Inexpensive Adaptive Technology Database (FANDI), found on the Adaptech website, continues to serve as a reference for both students and professionals.

Catherine had more than one research family. She was a member of the Behavioural Psychotherapy and Research Unit at the Jewish General Hospital, where she practiced as a clinical psychologist and did research on issues related to sleep. Her most recent studies, focusing on the impact of parasomnias on college students, and sleep and well-being during Covid-19, provided a wonderful opportunity for members of both research teams to work together.

Described as a brilliant researcher, in March 2016 Catherine received the Fred Strache Leadership Award. This honour recognizes not only leaders in their respective fields through publications, presentations and research, but those who continue to work with students as educators and mentors. No three words: leader, educator and mentor, could better describe Catherine Fichten.

Catherine was a very private person who did not talk much about herself. She was always more interested in what you had to say or what you needed. In her final weeks, she kept asking students on the Adaptech team what she could do to help them while she was still able.

Catherine spoke to them openly about her approaching death, and she told them stories, including how she met Jake, her beloved husband of 58 years. They found out that she really didn’t like to cook but enjoyed a home cooked meal over ordering in pizza or spaghetti. She also shared that she and Jake had sold their boat as she could no longer sail competitively due to her mobility issues, and she often spoke fondly of her mischievous cat and her beautiful plants.

Catherine took the time to send an email to say goodbye to several of her past students. This could not have been easy for someone whose typical email was a subject line and no text!  Catherine knew it would ease the grief for those who would be most impacted by her death.

At the last Adaptech meeting that Catherine attended, she was asked how she wanted to be remembered. She replied that her pride was in the accomplishments of the numerous students she had mentored and their future careers as researchers and disability advocates.

The Adaptech Research team is planning to hold a celebration of the life of Catherine Fichten at a later date.

Obituary:  https://www.paperman.com/funerals/Dr-Catherine-Fichten-5239C130

─Submitted by Alice Havel and Susie Wileman