Chad received his BA in psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1988 before receiving his PhD in cognitive psychology from Harvard University in 1992. After completing his PhD, Chad went on to work as an assistant professor at the University of Arizona prior to returning to his alma mater as a faculty member in the UMN Department of Psychology.
Chad ran a highly productive research lab, and was a dedicated teacher and mentor. Among the awards he received during his career are the U.S. Department of Education’s Jacob K. Javits Graduate Fellowship (1989-1992), UMN's Arthur “Red” Motley Exemplary Teaching Award (2011), and the Best Article Award for 2013 for Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience.
Department colleagues remember Chad's insightful comments during research seminars, his warmth in personal interactions, and his commitment to his students. They also remember his enthusiasm, describing a guest lecture Chad gave on computational models of cognition and antipriming; “he… practically taught the entire class standing on tiptoes…we will miss his enthusiasm.” He was humble, yet highly successful, soft-spoken, but incredibly funny, and shy, but a rocking devotee of live music.
To honor his memory, his family and friends ask that individuals consider making a gift in his memory through the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota’s Undergraduate Scholarship fund.
Composed by Flora Pollack, communications assistant.