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Gone, but not forgotten 鈥� Dr. John McCabe鈥檚 legacy continues to inspire collaboration between Human Factors professionals and students across the world.

In September of 2021, Dalhousie lost a valued member of our community. John McCabe, PhD, was a treasured professor, colleague and mentor in the Faculty of Health鈥檚 School of Health and Human Performance (HAHP), specializing in Human Factors 鈥� the study of optimization of human performance at work. At his colloquium on September 23, various members of the Dalhousie community gathered for an afternoon of interprofessional collaboration in McCabe鈥檚 honour. The event was co-organized by two of McCabe鈥檚 former students, Daniel Makhan (BScK鈥�97) and Michael Hartley (BScK鈥�00) along with HAHP Associate Professor in Kinesiology, Dr. Heather Neyedli.

Hartley described McCabe as 鈥渢he epitome of what a professor can and should be: inspiring, caring, and thought-provoking.鈥�

The colloquium began with touching opening remarks from the Dean of Faculty of Health, Dr. Brenda Merritt, Director of the School of Health and Human Performance Dr. Laurene Rehman, and for HAHP professor Dr. John Kozey. The academic portion of the colloquium included a panel discussion on the future of Human Factors in design, a student research pitch session and a fireside chat on the future of Human Factors on managing complexity. While hurricane Fiona cut short the formal reception, students and faculty 鈥� current and former 鈥� enjoyed the chance to share a few more stories about John McCabe.

Hartley explained the colloquium鈥檚 objective as to 鈥渃elebrate Dr. John McCabe鈥檚 academic legacy by continuing to build the Human Factors community he was instrumental in creating.鈥�

McCabe devotedly served in the health faculty from 1975-2012. His former students are currently working in a variety of roles including chief revenue officers, government officials, university faculty members, innovators, and more. (Photo:Dr. John McCabe. Provided) 聽

Panel moderator Daniel Makhan elaborated on how McCabe鈥檚 impact 鈥渃rossed generations. He embedded curiosity in all of us. He taught us a common language.鈥�

At the colloquium, alumni were grateful for a chance to share their professional advice with the next generation of Kinesiology students interested in pursuing Human Factors. Today鈥檚 HAHP students were exposed to a breadth of professional opportunities 鈥� both in terms of diversity of applying the discipline and where around the world it can be applied.

鈥淚t was a really fantastic day. So many alumni have been inspired by John. It was a great day of forging connections between students, professionals, and faculty,鈥� said Neyedli.

McCabe鈥檚 sons, Tim and Sean McCabe, grew up visiting the HAHP school. They were greatly moved by the colloquium, and recalled the fond memories they share at the school and with the faculty:

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to put things into words. It is great to see his colleagues and students, and witness how he impacted people. The talk of all of us being a family rings true. Today鈥檚 HAHP students, who weren鈥檛 even taught by him, benefit from the seeds he planted while he was a professor at the school. His influence lives on.鈥�

Attendees left the colloquium excited by an afternoon of collaboration, inspired by the remarkable man who made it all possible.

Hartley was ecstatic at the colloquium鈥檚 turnout, as he reflected on McCabe鈥檚 dedication to mentorship, 鈥淗e never lost sight of who he was in service of, and that was his students. His legacy will last well beyond this colloquium and now it is up to us to continue and grow that legacy for the next generation of Human Factors professionals.鈥�

Dalhousie has set up a McCabe Family Scholarship in Athletics & Kinesiology. Information on how to donate can be found here:聽

The fund supports a returning student athlete enrolled in the undergraduate Kinesiology program who demonstrates a commitment to the development of their athletic and academic excellence, leadership ability, and positive attributes in the areas of citizenship, community service and sportsmanship. To be considered, continuing students must have achieved Academic-All Canadian status.