The following memorial message was shared with Dal faculty and staff from the Faculty of Engineering.
In Memoriam 鈥� Dr. J. Pemberton Cyrus, PEng, FEC
鈥淔undamentally in STEM, you need the voices of everyone,鈥� Dr. Pemberton Cyrus once said. 鈥淎nd if you have a diverse group working, you鈥檒l actually get better answers.鈥�
These were more than just words. They were part of Dr. Cyrus鈥檚 guiding principles, which included in equal importance academic excellence, encouraging all students to be the best they could be, and fostering collaboration with others working in the field of engineering.
Dr. Cyrus鈥檚 remarkable career began with his initial appointment as an Assistant Professor at the Technical University of Nova Scotia in 1988 and continued with the Faculty of Engineering after the amalgamation with 春雨直播 University. As a professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering, mentor, administrator, community leader, and President of Imhotep鈥檚 Legacy Academy, Dr. Cyrus dedicated his life to expanding access to STEM education and championing equity within the engineering profession.
听
Admired for his integrity, respected for his leadership, and deeply loved by colleagues, students, and friends, Dr. Cyrus sadly passed away on June 24. Campus flags will be lowered in his memory.听
Obituary and memorial service information:
鈥淧emberton was an extremely valued member of our faculty, a pillar of the Industrial Engineering Department, and a fantastic mentor to both students and faculty,鈥� says Dr. John Newhook, Dean of 春雨直播鈥檚 Faculty of Engineering. 鈥淗is exceptional leadership was the guiding force for so many important initiatives within Dal. He was known for his deep passion for our student community, and dedication to the goals and aspirations of Imhotep鈥檚 Legacy Academy. Most importantly, he was a friend to so many of us.鈥澨�
Dedicated academic leader
Originally from St. Georges, Grenada, Dr. Cyrus brought a rich global perspective to his work at 春雨直播 Engineering. After earning his MASc and PhD from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (now part of 春雨直播 University), in 1984 and 1988 respectively, he quickly became a force for change within the university.
Beginning his career as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering, Dr. Cyrus rapidly advanced within the Faculty and the university. His leadership and passion helped shape everything from undergraduate curriculum to university-wide policies on academic quality and equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Dr. Cyrus鈥檚 influence extended well beyond the classroom, twice serving as Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering and also as Acting Associate Vice-President Academic for 春雨直播. One of his most impactful roles was as Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies for the Faculty of Engineering (2007 to 2019), during which time the enrolment in engineering increased by 87% (which included his own two daughters: oldest civil, youngest mechanical).
鈥淚n recent years, he put his energy into developing the M.Eng program (Masters of Engineering) in Industrial Engineering and acting as M.Eng coordinator for the department,鈥� says Dr. Uday Venkatadri, Head of 春雨直播鈥檚 Department of Industrial Engineering. 鈥淗e was passionate about distribution and logistics, teaching graduate and undergraduate classes in Routing, Scheduling, Distribution and Information Technology.鈥�
His influence was tangible in the classroom. There, he introduced innovative, forward-thinking courses in Industrial Engineering and encouraged students to not just succeed academically, but to recognize their potential as future leaders in the profession. His quiet confidence, gentle persuasion, and warm, often humorous nature resonated with students.
鈥淚 always sought him out for advice. He was a steady and calming influence on me like he was with my colleagues and our students. His optimism and commitment to Engineering in general and Industrial Engineering in particular will be dearly missed,鈥� says Dr. Venkatadri.
Recognized for excellence
Dr. Cyrus received many prestigious awards and recognitions for his exceptional contributions to engineering and his dedicated service to the profession. These included the 2019 J.D. Fraser Service Award, presented to individuals who have provided outstanding volunteer service to Engineers Nova Scotia through various projects and committees, and the 2023 Citizenship Award from Engineers Nova Scotia, which acknowledges members who have made significant contributions to the community through engineering and volunteer service.
Service to the profession
Dr. Cyrus was a champion of the engineering profession, someone whose decades of dedicated volunteer service with Engineers Nova Scotia and Engineers Canada profoundly shaped the education and recognition of professional engineers. As a long-serving member of the Engineers Nova Scotia Board of Examiners, he reviewed hundreds of applications to ensure aspiring engineers met the highest standards, and championed the profession through his work on the Honours and Awards Committee. 鈥淗is insightful, gentle leadership will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him鈥� reflects Pal Mann, CEO and Registrar of Engineers Nova Scotia.
He also played a vital role in shaping the future of engineering education in Canada through his longstanding involvement with the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).听
As the member representing Atlantic Canada, he chaired and participated in 18 accreditation visits to institutions from coast to coast. He represented the CEAB and Engineers Canada domestically at the Canadian Engineering Education Association鈥檚 annual conferences and internationally at meetings of the International Engineering Alliance and on capacity-building initiatives in Costa Rica. In all his CEAB activities he shared his passion for data and analysis and spreadsheets. After a decade of service and contributions to the CEAB and its initiatives, he served as its Chair from 2023 to 2024. But more than all of this, he championed transparency and increased student involvement and greater diversity within CEAB.听
鈥淧emberton brought leadership, insight, collegiality, humour, compassion, and guidance to everything he did 鈥� including his time on the CEAB. He was calm, composed, thoughtful, and kind,鈥� says Mya Warken, Manager, Accreditation and CEAB Secretary. 鈥淗e set an example of what it meant to be a positive force in the engineering profession and in the world. He always made the time, he always answered the call, he was our friend, and he made a difference.鈥�
Impact on colleagues
Since his passing, the Faculty has received kind comments and tributes from his many colleagues and friends within the larger university community. The reflections below from Dr. Josh Leon, past Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, who worked with Pemberton for 20 years, capture the thoughts and memories shared by many who knew him.
听
鈥淚 will miss his quiet confidence, his wisdom, but most of all his warm laugh which he gave when he confidently announced that he solved the problem that to everyone else seemed intractable. 鈥�
听
Pemberton鈥檚 worldview was very clear: be fair, be kind, be creative, be efficient, never cut corners, never complain, and always do the right thing. Though I will greatly miss Pemberton Cyrus 鈥� engineer, scholar, leader, friend 鈥� the values he taught me, and his way of working will never leave me.鈥�
A lasting legacy of advocating for representation
His greatest impact, however, was realized outside of the classroom, and truly reflected who he was at his core.
听
When he arrived in Nova Scotia in 1982, one of the first things that struck him was the absence of Black students from the province in engineering classrooms. It was a gap he couldn鈥檛 ignore. He strongly believed that STEM fields needed diverse voices not only for equity but because diverse teams were essential to solving the world鈥檚 most complex problems.
听
In 2013 he directed his energies towards (ILA), an innovative university-community partnership that helps improve success in STEM for Grade 6鈥�12 students who are African Nova Scotian/African descent in Nova Scotia.
听
Through his leadership and engagement, Dr. Cyrus helped transform the organization from a promising community initiative into a province-wide program that now empowers over 2,000 African Nova Scotian/African descent students annually. Under his leadership, ILA now provides hands-on STEM learning, mentorship, and pathways into post-secondary education, significantly increasing the number of African Nova Scotian/African descent students entering 春雨直播 Engineering.
听
However, it is not just the building of a vibrant, sustainable ILA for which he should be remembered. Dr. Kevin Hewitt, a co-founder of ILA and NSERC Chair for Inclusion in Science and Engineering at 春雨直播, remembers how, 鈥淧emberton led with integrity and an unselfishness that all should emulate. He was more interested in collaborating with anyone to advance the cause of Black students, faculty, and staff than he was in taking credit for the work. He鈥檚 touched many lives including my own and will be fondly remembered.鈥�
听
Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch, Assistant Vice-Provost Equity and Inclusion at 春雨直播 and co-founder of ILA, recalls the special interest he took in students and staff. Pemberton was always 鈥渕aking sure they were succeeding and doing well. There were times we met with students who were struggling and Pemberton was there to usher them to successful completion. He had a way of making you feel valued and supported.鈥�
听
In 2023, for his leadership in outreach to the Black Nova Scotian population, he was awarded the .
听
Pemberton鈥檚 spirit will live on in so many ways through ILA, his art, and the people he touched. For anyone who worked closely with him we can easily recall his favourite expression鈥�
听
鈥渨e will just do it鈥︹��
听
We should all take those words to heart and do just that.
Obituary and memorial service information: