In memoriam: Catherine Fichten

December 16, 2024

Source: Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance

We must unfortunately pass on some sad news, to report that Dr. Catherine Fichten died October 31, 2024, after a battle with cancer. Catherine was among the founding members of the CSLP, having joined the centre in 1988 and served on the Executive Committee for many years. She was the co-director of the Adaptech Research Network at Dawson College, where her research focused on the use of technology to assist students with disabilities.

Her frequent collaborators, Alice Havel and Susie Wileman, have put together a wonderful remembrance of Catherine for Dawson’s website, and her co-director at Adaptech, Jennison Asuncion, shared the following message with us:

It's with a heavy heart that I write, on behalf of the Adaptech Research Network, to let you know that Dr. Catherine Fichten has died. She left us peacefully October 31. I attach text of an article that appeared in the Dawson College News, informing the community of her death.

While you may know her as a skilled researcher in diverse subjects varying from students with disabilities in postsecondary education, accessible technology, and sleep, her passion truly lay with her students. Over her many years, she supervised, mentored, and otherwise nurtured countless students, many of whom couldn't help but become inspired by her, pursuing further studies and careers in research.

We plan to celebrate Catherine's life this spring in Montreal. We are also exploring setting up a scholarship in her name for aspiring research students. If you wish to be kept informed on one or both items, please respond directly to me.

Jennison

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