School of Health and Human Performance

Faculty of Health

Highlights and Milestones (1966 ‑ 2016)

In 2016 the School celebrated its 50th year! Below are just a few of our highlights and milestones over the years starting in 1966 when The School of Physical Education was created as a response to the need for teachers of Physical Education in the Province of Nova Scotia.

2010 - 2016

  • 2011    The Larry Maloney Lecture Series is developed in recognition of personal accomplishment in leadership, academic excellence, and contributions to the School.
  • 2012    The Jerry Singleton Leadership Award is established in recognition of a student’s involvement and commitment to Therapeutic Recreation professional organizations. Dr. Carolyn Savoy is inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.
  • 2013    Faculty member Matthew Numer receives the School’s Teaching and Mentorship Excellence Award.
  • 2015    Dr. Sara Kirk receives the Dalhousie University Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision and the School’s Teaching and Mentorship Excellence Award. Dr. Carolyn Savoy is inducted posthumously into the Dalhousie University Sports Hall of Fame. The Interdisciplinary Health Studies (IDHS) Certificate program begins online.
  • 2016    Dr. Brad Meisner receives the School’s Teaching and Mentorship Excellence Award. Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch receives her PhD from Dalhousie University and is the first African Nova Scotian to do so. The School’s total enrollment is 822.  

2000 - 2009

  • 2000    Dr. Lori Livingston is appointed Director of the School. Kinesiology begins a Coaching Science stream. Retired faculty member Al Yarr is inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.
  • 2001    Dr. Sandy Young is inducted posthumously into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.
  • 2004    The Bachelor of Science (Health Education) is renamed Bachelor of Science (Health Promotion). A new stream in Research and Policy begins. The Community Health Promotion stream is strengthened. An Honours degree in Health Promotion begins.
  • 2005    Kinesiology student, Matthew Knox, is the first student from the School to receive a Rhodes Scholarship.
  • 2006    Dr. Carol Putnam receives the Faculty of Health Professions Teaching Award. Faculty member Lesley Barnes receives the Dalhousie Educational Leadership Award. Retired professor, Dr. Jan Prsala, is inducted into the Canadian Volleyball Hall of Fame. The School establishes the School of Health and Human Performance Exemplary Service Award. The Master of Art (Health Education) is renamed the Master of Art (Health Promotion).
  • 2007    Kinesiology student Tony Griffin completes a cross Canada and cross Ireland bicycle tour raising $750,000 for Ovarian Cancer Canada, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and the Irish Cancer Society. Dr. Charlotte Loppie receives the first School Teaching and Mentorship Excellence Award. New curricula are introduced for the Bachelor of Science (Kinesiology) and Bachelor of Science (Kinesiology) Honours programs. The School applies for CCUPEKA accreditation. Dr. Jerry Singleton receives both the Volunteer and Professional of the Year Awards from the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association.
  • 2009    Dr. Fred McGinn, a faculty member, is appointed the Director of the School. Dr. Laurene Rehman receives the School’s Teaching and Mentorship Excellence Award.

1990 - 1999

  • 1990    Kinesiology begins an Honours program.
  • 1993    The government’s “rationalization” decision forces the termination of all teacher preparation programs at Dalhousie. As a result, under the Acting Directorship of Dr. John McCabe, faculty members begin a strategic planning process to revise the School’s mission.
  • 1995    Dr. Larry Maloney returns as Director of the School. We are renamed The School of Health and Human Performance with the mission of enhancing the health and well-being of members of society. Kinesiology begins an Ergonomics stream.
  • 1998    Faculty member Lois MacGregor is inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.
  • 1999    Dr. Phil Campagna receives the Dalhousie University Teaching Award. Using the previous Bachelor of Physical Education/Bachelor of Education Model, a five year Bachelor of Science (Recreation)/Bachelor of Management integrated program begins in cooperation with the Faculty of Management. The Bachelor of Recreation (Therapeutic) begins.
     

1980 - 1989

  • 1980    Bachelor of Science (Health Education) introduces a community-health promotion focus with two streams, Lifestyles and Administration.
  • 1981    Athletics and Recreational Services separate from the School of Physical Education. 
  • 1982    The Dalhousie Women’s Volleyball team, under the coaching of faculty member Lois MacGregor, wins the University national championship. Five students from the School are members of the team. We are renamed the School of Recreation, Physical and Health Education.
  • 1984    The School takes the dramatic step of creating a five-year Bachelor of Physical Education/Bachelor of Education integrated program.
  • 1986    Academic development continues with the creation of the Bachelor of Science (Kinesiology), a program that currently is the largest in the School. 
  • 1988    The School’s Graduate programs expand to include three separate degrees Master of Arts (Health Education), Master of Science (Kinesiology), and Master of Arts (Leisure Studies).
  • 1989    Dr. Sandy Young, a faculty member in the School, is appointed Director. Faculty member Nigel Kemp is inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.
     

1970 - 1979

  • 1970    The first class of students graduates from the Bachelor of Physical Education. A Master of Physical Education begins.
  • 1971    A Health Education major is added to the undergraduate degree program. Students from the Nova Scotia Teachers College Physical Education program enter the Bachelor of Physical Education to complete their final two years.
  • 1972    The Human Movement option is offered as part of the Bachelor of Physical Education program as an alternative to the teaching track.
  • 1973    Dr. Michael Ellis from the University of Illinois brings a Recreation emphasis when he is appointed the Director of the School. Dr. John Pooley, as the first Undergraduate Coordinator for the School, begins an international exchange program with two schools in the United Kingdom and one in the United States. The School relocates to the Arts Annex.
  • 1975    A Bachelor of Science (Health Education) with a focus on teacher preparation is created as the result of increased awareness of the need for illness prevention and health promotion programs in schools.
  • 1976    The Dalhousie Women’s Field Hockey team, with several student members from the School, wins the National University championship under the leadership of coach and School faculty member Nancy Buzzell.
  • 1977    The Bachelor of Recreation program begins. The first student graduates with a Bachelor of Science (Health Education).
  • 1978    Dr. Larry Maloney, a faculty member in the School, is appointed Director.
  • 1979    Dalplex creates outstanding new facilities for athletics and also for students participating in the activities portion of the physical education program. The School relocates to the Stairs House.
     

1966 -1969

  • 1966    The School of Physical Education is created as a response to the need for teachers of Physical Education in the Province of Nova Scotia. Dr. Hugh Noble, Ken Gowie (Athletic Director), Gerry Walford, Al Yarr, Joe Retigliano and Carol MacLean play key roles.
    President Henry Hicks locates the program in the Faculty of Health Professions recognizing its important contribution to the field of health. Dr. R. M. MacDonald (Dean, Faculty of Health Professions) becomes the first Dean for the new program. Ten students enter the first year.
  • 1967    Dr. Allan Coles from Australia becomes the first Director of the School of Physical Education, which also houses Athletics and Recreational Services. Sixty students enter the first year program. Faculty members include an international group from Canada, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The School’s offices are located on University Avenue.
  • 1969    John Cassidy, who later is inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame (2007), becomes a student in the School. Dr. Ed Belzer begins the Health Education program.