Contributions to the tribute of Mark Peter Zanna

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Thursday, September 9, 2021

So sorry to hear about Mark’s passing. I was lucky enough to work with Mark in the mid-nineties when he was a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota. Such a funny wonderful person. He was so warm and down to earth - even though he was a luminary. I remember running into him at a conference and how he seemed so delighted to talk to me even though I was just a grad student. Such a generosity of spirit. And funny. My condolences.

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Barry Cull lit a candle

Sunday, July 11, 2021

I met Mark when I was a graduate student at UW in the 80's. I got to know him better, as a team-mate and sometimes as an opponent in the Old Timers Hockey League. He was a wonderful mentor on the bench, and a fierce competitor on the ice. I was shocked to hear of his passing and I send my condolences to Betsy and the family.

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Bob Kerton posted a condolence

Sunday, March 22, 2020

In Memory of Mark Zanna In 1999, when Mark earned the award as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, his record had already made him a giant among researchers. That same year he was designated as an inaugural University Professor. His highly original work includes topics of enduring importance like our understanding of persuasion and the ‘management’ of attitudes. These contributions helped UW earn its impressive reputation. Doug Wright, President of UW from 1981-93, claimed that, to create a great university, there are two rules you need to know: Rule 1. Hire excellent people. Rule 2. Get out of the way. How appropriate for Mark Zanna. Many years ago, a disciplinary agency conducted formal review of evidence on the strength of social psychology offerings to produce a Report identifying the top 20 programs. Result? The University of Waterloo had one of the very strongest programs in North America. That review specifically mentioned professors Ziva Kunda, Mike Ross, and of course, Mark Zanna. Under Rule 1 Mark made a huge contribution to the University. Too, the disciplinary study identified an Arts department as one of the University’s strongest units. Most UW readers enjoyed a gratuitous comment by the Report’s authors: (roughly) “Imagine! One of the strongest programs is in Canada.” Quite apart from being an truly outstanding scholar, Mark was a magnificent team player in the broadest sense of the word - always inclusive and always sharing his time and energy to overall success of the academic discipline, his colleagues, the research staff, his committee work, the department, the university … and beyond. Mark was an athlete and a true gym rat - which is entirely a positive term – as attested by his basketball team mates. Our Pheasant team fluttered in the intramural league for more than three decades. In seasons when we won our division, we had victory ‘certificates’ signed by the reigning UW President. At UW there are three playing terms per year, so Mark played on the Pheasants for about 100 seasons. Mark was a superb competitor and his record of scoring 3,844 points is a reliable underestimate. His basketball assists were illuminating. In one frequently used play he would cleverly inbound the ball in an athletic move that resulted in a quick basket. It is illuminating because Mark enjoyed the 2 points earned on a passing play more than 2 points earned by any player alone. That was precisely the model of his mutual enjoyment as mentor and colleague. As a former Dean, I want to express the gratitude of the Faculty of Arts for Mark’s momentous academic contributions. The evidence is that he won virtually all major awards available. Yet we all know there was much more to Mark than that. Mark thoroughly relished his colleagues and took special joy in the success of his students. He recognized the contributions of others, and he treasured friends from all corners of the campus. Heartfelt condolences to his marvelous companion Betsy, to Jamie and Adam, to spouses, to grandchildren and to all his much-loved family. Mark’s work companions have lost a thoughtful generous and sincere friend. This loss is truly substantial. The obvious bright side: we have been blessed to know Mark Zanna. Bob Kerton 2/3/2020

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Ramona Bobocel posted a condolence

Monday, March 16, 2020

Dear Betsy, Adam, and Jamie, Although we have talked already, I wanted to add some thoughts here. We continue to think of you and the grandkids, knowing what a loss Mark’s passing is to your families. Mark meant so much to me, as he did to so many others. At the memorial and in the comments on the obituary site, what is so striking is just how much Mark helped so many of us as a mentor, collaborator, and friend. Words cannot express adequately how much Mark did for us and meant to us, although Jim, Geoff, and Steve captured it so very well. I have so many great memories of Mark, not the least of which is how Mark and Betsy adopted me when I arrived as a new faculty member at Waterloo. I was straight out of graduate school, with no family or friends nearby and no cohort. Mark and Betsy welcomed me immediately, and we began what became a wonderful 28-year friendship. We shared many meals and lots of wine, and there were many lunch picnics in Waterloo Park with great discussions about life, politics, and research, of course. In those early years, Mark taught me everything there was to know about Ontario and Waterloo region, and most importantly everything there was to know about our department and UW! In fact, for me, Mark was always the heart of “Psychology at Waterloo." Mark leaves a legacy that few of us could hope to achieve. I am a better scientist, student mentor, and administrator for having learned from Mark. In these ways, Mark will live on in what I and so many others do. Above all, Mark was a dear and trusted friend, and I will miss him tremendously. Ramona

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Colin MacLeod posted a condolence

Monday, March 9, 2020

My deepest sympathy to Betsy, Adam, Jamie, and family. In the first 25 years of my career, spent at U of T, I learned two things about Waterloo – that my undergrad students were excited by its clinical program … and that my colleagues were mightily impressed by its world-class social area. When I came to Waterloo in 2003, one of my immediate supporters was the person at the centre of that area, Mark. He was incredibly positive about the contributions I might make, making me feel welcome and valued, and always willing to fill me in on the background of the department – his department. We would chat in his office, often while I was helping with some computer situation. Mark would always work into our conversations somehow that I was to become departmental chair. When he agreed in 2009 to do a second stint as chair, it was abundantly clear to me that it was because of his devotion to the department, and I was happy to work with him as his deputy chair. I knew that he had said yes to the gig out of a very strong sense of responsibility and affection for the department. And he did make me see that I could follow in his very considerable footsteps. In my field of study, human memory, there is phenomenon called a flashbulb memory – a memory that seems especially vivid. I have one of those of Mark. It was around the time of his Killam award. One day, I happened to have to be in the Dean’s wing for some reason and as I walked down the long hall, there ahead of me was Mark sitting in a director’s chair, well dressed and groomed, and with lights all around him and a crew of people. He was having his picture taken for the cover of the university magazine – yes, THAT picture. I smiled as I sneaked by and he gave me this wonderful look, a mixture of pleasure and resignation. Mark and I almost shared a birthday—mine is a day later than his—and I will always think of him then with fondness.

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John Lydon posted a condolence

Thursday, March 5, 2020

My deepest condolences to Betsy, Adam and Jamie. Mark showed respect to his students and their ideas. He gave freely of his time and experience. He maintained a patient confidence in his students (even when he had things figured out much faster). Also throughout my career I have met many successful social psychologists who were not Waterloo students but received critical help from Mark at a key moment in their careers. Mark was a world leader in providing invisible support to others. Finally working with Mark was a blast: His nuggets of wisdom, his colorful way of saying things and his infectious sheer love of social psychology. MPZ the Big Guy One of a kind.

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Michael Smyth donated to UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Donation to: Mark Zanna Graduate Scholarship in Psychology

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Bob & Denise Ballantyne posted a condolence

Monday, March 2, 2020

Sometimes in life you meet a man who stands out from the crowd – Mark Zanna was one of those men. Bob & Denise Ballantyne

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Toni Schmader posted a condolence

Sunday, March 1, 2020

My deepest condolences on your loss. I have such fond memories of when Mark spent a sabbatical term at the University of Arizona when I was an Assistant Professor. Mark’s ability to engage with and offer advice on any study idea was remarkable. I also enjoyed the chance to see a movie or two with him during his stay. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to have known such a brilliant scientist and scholar and truly kind and generous human being. His impact on the field and those he mentored is an extraordinary legacy. - Toni Schmader

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Russell Fazio posted a condolence

Saturday, February 29, 2020

My sincerest condolences to Betsy, Adam, and Jamie. Mark was my hero, my mentor, and my friend for many decades. I have treasured his support and friendship ever since we first began to work together, back in 1974 at Princeton. Mark's enthusiasm and passion for social psychology was contagious. He had this uncanny ability to recognize a good idea, shape it into a better idea, and then just loved "bottling" the phenomenon in the laboratory. We had so much fun together. The entire field will miss him. I surely will. But, what a difference he made to our science and to so many of the people in our discipline. He leaves a remarkable legacy...and many fond memories.

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donald M Taylor posted a condolence

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Donald M Taylor McGill University Mark Zanna, to me he will always be "the big Z" Outstanding academic--no question great ideas man--a non-stop generator reknown methodologist--he could make a 2x2 sing great teacher great mentor great colleague great leader But all of this does not capture the full essence of the big Z. He was generous with all, respectful to all, and supportive of all. A genuine leader but always a team player. His semester with us at McGill was epic. All of these characteristics were on full display every day. I have lost a great friend, colleague and legend The Big Z

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Pat Bishop posted a condolence

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Betsy, Adam and Jamie Please accept my condolences on the death of Mark. It was my pleasure to know him and I have many memories of him as an academic and as a sports parent. I valued his friendship and his opinion on so many things. May Mark rest in peace.

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Tory Higgins posted a condolence

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Tory Higgins I want to add that Mark was the second social-personality psychologist to receive the annual Nalini Ambady Award for Mentoring Excellence from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. In part, the Award citation said: “In honor of Mark Zanna’s life-long commitment to improving the lives and careers of graduate students and early-career faculty, the committee unanimously selected him to be the recipient of the 2015 Nalini Ambady Award for Mentoring Excellence. As can be seen in their passionately enthusiastic letters and anecdotes, Mark has been a role model and inspiration for generations of students.” Officially, I was not Mark’s student. But, actually, everyone who talked to Mark about their research ideas was Mark’s student. This was part of Mark’s gift as a great mentor and great friend. He was more than fully engaged with you. It was as if he could not disengage from you and your ideas because they were so important to him. He worked with them, sharpened them, and showed you how they could be tested. Wow, you would say to yourself, I better take these ideas more seriously because Mark takes them so seriously. I miss those conversations so much.

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Poppy Lockwood posted a condolence

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Mark was a great mentor to every grad student who went through the Waterloo Social Psychology program. My first class in my first week of grad school was with Mark – a seminar on Attitudes. I was feeling like an imposter after sweating over my first one-page “thought paper.” Mark took the time to talk to me after class; he seemed genuinely interested in my ideas, and had helpful suggestions for where to take them. It was a small thing, but it made a huge difference to me that day, and made me feel like maybe I could actually succeed in graduate school. After every student talk he always had constructive feedback, usually a “free association” that was actually a brilliant suggestion for a new study or new way of thinking about the topic. He was an extraordinary researcher and a genuinely kind person, generous with his time and supportive of every student in the program.

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Leanne Son Hing posted a condolence

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Mark was an incredible mentor. I always appreciated how much time and energy he invested into developing me as a student and taking interest in me as person. He was always so excited about our projects and amazed me with his mental stamina for two to three-hour plus meetings. I remember he, Ramona, and I would have to walk down the hall together to take bathroom breaks because we would go on for so long! It was in those meetings that I could feel my brain exploding, as I learned new ways of thinking, and myself self-esteem growing, as I felt my ideas truly valued. Travelling with Mark to meetings was a huge treat, as we had so much time for him to tell me stories and teach me about the field. When I became a professor, his mentorship did not end. Mark always emphasized a balance between work and home; the importance of taking time for yourself (i.e., sports!) and for being present when you are with your family. He taught me so much, not the least of which, is what a huge impact we as mentors can have on the lives of our students. Betsy, Adam, and Jamie, I am so sorry for your loss.

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Karina Schumann uploaded photo(s)

Friday, February 28, 2020

Dear Betsy and family. I would like to offer you my heartfelt condolences, as I can only imagine how deeply you are all feeling this loss. Mark was such an incredible mentor and friend to me during my time at Waterloo. I’ve attached some pics of special memories - two from when he received the Killam award in Ottawa, and one from a Halloween when I dressed up as Mark to honor him as one of the greats in our field (with his permission of course and much to his delight). Mark and I had so many wonderful conversations, and I always left these conversations feeling more knowledgeable about social psychology, sports, history, politics, etc. He was thoughtful and generous with his time and mentorship. One of my fondest memories of him is that he used to go through the SPSP program and make a personalized copy for each grad student (including those he didn’t work with), circling talks he thought they would be interested in attending. He truly was just a wonderful person. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of the incredible program Mark helped build at Waterloo, and even more fortunate to have had the opportunity to know him and learn from him during my time there. Sending you love during this difficult time. Karina Schumann

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Eric Breugst posted a condolence

Friday, February 28, 2020

To Betsy, Adam and Jamie. Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. I take some comfort in knowing that the three of you and your extended family have each other to support one another at this difficult time and that you all have many, many wonderful memories of Mark to always share.

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Keith Hipel posted a condolence

Friday, February 28, 2020

A warm tribute to Professor Mark Zanna from Keith Hipel in Systems Design Engineering Dear Betsy and family, I would like to offer you my deepest condolences and tell you how much I respected and admired your beloved Mark. I had the privilege and honour of knowing Mark from the time he first arrived on the university campus so many years ago. Mark was an outstanding academic, highly respected by his peers not only in Canada but around the globe. His receipt in 2011 of the Killam Prize in Social Sciences recognized Mark and his team of researchers in Psychology as being the best in Canada. He made significant contributions in helping to make the University of Waterloo the most innovative university in the country. Very importantly, Mark was a wonderful human being who was always helping others to excel in their academic careers. In recent years, I had the good fortune of working alongside Mark on the Waterloo Awards Committee. He devoted enormous amounts of his time in preparing comprehensive nomination packages for his colleagues to receive recognition for their hard work and associated achievements in research, teaching and service. He had a keen interest in personally mentoring and encouraging younger faculty members as well as his students in their pursuit of academic excellence. The University of Waterloo community will be forever grateful to Mark for his many excellent contributions to its development.

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Kees van den Bos posted a condolence

Friday, February 28, 2020

Mark Zanna was one of the giants of social psychology. His research program was impressive. And what was perhaps even more extraordinary was his eagerness to meet and coach young people who were new to the field of social psychology that he loved so much. As a foreign, non-North American student, you learned the art of doing research by studying his "Compleat Academic" book and by profiting from his thoughtful and constructive feedback on your Advances chapters. I wish to express my condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, Kees van den Bos Utrecht University The Netherlands

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Curt Haugtvedt posted a condolence

Friday, February 28, 2020

As a young graduate student in the early 80's I recall meeting Mark Zanna at a conference. He was so interesting and so supportive of everyone. I had the pleasure of hearing him talk about his research and tell stories many more times over the years. The passion he had for social psychology was contagious! I've read every article he wrote and I have all of his books in my personal library. We have all lost a terrific mentor and friend but his legacy will live on in our good thoughts, words, and deeds. My sincere condolences and sympathies to Mark's family, students, and colleagues. With many good memories of Mark Zanna as a person and scholar extraordinaire, Curt Haugtvedt Ohio State University Columbus, OH

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Tony Wirjanto posted a condolence

Friday, February 28, 2020

I got to know Mark and Betsy when I arrived at UW in 1991. Mark has since been a great colleague to have around. Tony Wirjanto

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Irene Majer posted a condolence

Friday, February 28, 2020

Betsy. So sorry about Mark and my thoughts are with you and your family. I did not know Mark well but I know he was a lovely human being. Irene Majer

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Martin Evans posted a condolence

Friday, February 28, 2020

My condolences to Mark's family and colleagues. It is a great loss.

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Stephen Lyon posted a condolence

Thursday, February 27, 2020

The most sincerest of condolences to the family and friends of Mark from everyone affiliated with the KW Oldtimers Hockey Club.

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Jim Martin posted a condolence

Thursday, February 27, 2020

My sincerest condolences to his wife Betsy and family.I played KW Oldtimers Hockey and Slo-Pitch baseball with Mark. When I heard of his passing I recalled the last time my Oldtimers A Division hockey team won the championship. Mark was on my team that year and at the end of the game we were sitting in the dressing room and Mark was looking at me smiling. He lifted his hockey sweater to reveal the Slo-Pitch T-shirt we had received for winning the Slo-Pitch baseball championship the year before. We had a good laugh over that. Jim Martin

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Michelle Mank (Cheung) posted a condolence

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Jamie, I was sad to hear about your father's passing. I know his legacy will continue through you, Adam and kids. May Betsy and all of you find comfort in the midst. Will be praying for you all.

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Robin MacDonald posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

My sincere condolences to Betsy and the family. I recall meeting Mark at one of the events held for alumni fundraising at Waterloo years ago.

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Ken and Margo Rubin posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Margo and I just learned of Mark's passing from Heather Henderson, my very last graduate student at U. Waterloo. The news hit us like a lightening bolt -- to us, Mark was perceived as an indestructible giant of a man -- a wonderful husband and father, an extraordinary scholar, an all-sports athlete, and even an Eickmeier pool aficionado (I've been losing to him for well over 30 years!). We are sending our love and sincerest condolences to Betsy, Adam, and Jamie. Our hearts are with you.

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Sandra Murray posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Stepping into Mark's introduction to social psychology class as an undergraduate opened my eyes to a whole new way of viewing the world. He inspired so many students with his passion for social psychology, his love for ideas, and the simple elegance of a well conducted experiment. My memories of graduate school are filled with memories of the mischievous grin he had when he pushed students to really think through their arguments. My deepest sympathies to his family, friends, students, and colleagues. Sandra Murray

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Michael Smyth Posted Feb 27, 2020 at 10:40 AM

Betsy, I am so sad to hear of the loss of Mark to you and your family. Please accept my sincere condolences. Mark was always so helpful to me and Renison whenever we needed to call on him. His gracious advice and assistance was invaluable and I was confident that whatever he suggested would be a good solution given with our best interests at heart. He will be missed. Michael

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Mary Ann Vaughan posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

I have lost a dear friend. Mark and I both worked at UW. He was brilliant, at the top of his field, known world wide in his area of psychology. He had won every award that is given in social science. And yet, regardless of his rank and his stature, this man would come to my office each day, sit in a terribly uncomfortable wooden chair, and wait for me to be ready for lunch. Then, the two of us would go off to the cafeteria and enjoy a lively conversation with other colleagues. Mark was the equivalent of a rock star in academia and he made me feel important vicariously. He was kind and generous. The great ones often are. I will miss Mark. He has left us too soon.

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Geoff Haddock posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

I was incredibly fortunate to have worked with Mark during my time at Waterloo. He was an exceptional scholar who has had a profound influence on me, on both a personal and professional level. It is very hard to put into words how much I learned from Mark. As a supervisor, his door was always open, and his devotion to students was legendary. There is one instance in particular that stands out in my memory. In the summer of 1994, I handed Mark a copy of the first complete draft of my thesis. The next day, Mark called me - he had read the thesis from start to finish and was hoping to meet that afternoon to share with me his incredibly detailed and valuable comments. Since leaving Waterloo, I have told many people that I could not have had a better role model than Mark Zanna - he was the compleat academic. Thank you, Mark.

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Michael & Hildy Ross posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Mark was superb at just about everything he did. He was a wonderful friend, colleague, teacher and researcher. He was an unparalleled graduate mentor. If Mark was on your side, he was a formidable advocate. One of Mark’s special qualities was that he took great joy in the successes of others—students, colleagues, and family members. He was a proud father and husband, who happily recounted the accomplishments of Betsy, Adam, and Jamie. We have fond memories of times spent with the Zanna family: taking cross-country ski lessons while Betsy was maybe 5-months pregnant with Jamie, attending Stratford Festival and picnicking on the lawn, watching Adam and Jamie play basketball along with our own son Jordan. It was great privilege to know Mark and be his longtime friend and colleague.

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Christian Jordan posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

I can't express how much of an impact Mark had on me. As an undergraduate in his introductory social psychology course, he inspired me to focus my studies on social psychology. I was lucky enough that he agreed to advise my honours thesis and then to work with me as a graduate student. I remember how excited I was when he agreed to work with me both times. He nurtured my development as a student and a scholar and was generous with his time and brilliant insights. His passion for social psychology was obvious and infectious. He taught me how to conduct research effectively. He had an uncanny knack for teaching in a Socratic manner that built confidence and fostered deep understanding. His guidance and active nurturence are what allowed me to have a career studying social psychology and I now aspire to model my own research and mentoring on the example he provided. My life would be very different if I had never taken his undergraduate course and I know he has had a similarly profound impact on many students. He was a paragon of excellence and had a warm and generous spirit. I will miss him terribly.

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Richard Eibach posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

I am so grateful to have known Mark. Before I met him, I was in awe of his work as an intellectual powerhouse who did so much to build the field of social psychology. When I later joined Waterloo's social program it was such a gift to have the opportunity to watch Mark's brilliant mind in action. His genius for experimentation was breathtaking to behold. He was also incredibly generous in lending his mind to help colleagues think through research problems. Although I was in awe of Mark, I was amazed that he never made you feel small when you were around him, because he was always so interested in getting to know you and hearing your ideas. I have so many fond memories of times when Mark dropped by my office to share stories about how he got the inspiration for his classic studies. It was such a treat to listen to him reflect on the history of the field. For many years, Mark was the coordinator of our undergraduate thesis program, which shows how devoted he was to training the next generation of researchers and nurturing their creativity. Mark was also an incredibly kind and loyal friend. I will always be grateful for the help he gave me and my husband Steven in finding our academic home at UW and to him and Betsy for welcoming us to the community. Steven and I would like to express our love and gratitude to Mark and sympathy to his family and friends.

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Russ Tupling posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

I remember my first day at the Eickmeier pick-up hockey, which was where I first met Mark and Adam (I don't think Jamie was playing yet). Adam was on a semi break-away and I was trying to chase him down, which was impossible of course and so I tried to tap his stick with mine as he was shooting the puck but I accidentally hit his hand. As the play continued, Mark skated up to me and put his hand on my chest (not so gently) to introduce himself. He said to me, making sure that I could hear him, that "We don't do that here!!! And that's MY SON!!!". Mark made sure that I understood the etiquette of Eickmeier pick-up hockey, which I was so grateful for, but I think more importantly, Mark took every opportunity to let people know that Adam (and Jamie) was HIS SON, because he was so proud of that, which was obvious to everyone. It was a privilege getting to know and playing hockey with Mark, Adam and Jamie (DJ at my wedding). Together with my wife (Sue Grant) and daughter (Olivia Tupling, Schlegel University Gates), we send our love and deepest sympathy to Betsy and the whole Zanna family.

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Joel Cooper posted a condolence

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Mark came into my life fifty years ago and made me a better person. He showed me how you can have fun with ideas and research and advising and…all of the activities that go along with being a professor. He was warm and generous, always willing to spend time with anyone who shared his passion for academia. Only half-jokingly, I always told my own students that the best way to have a successful career in psychology is to follow Mark around the halls and pick up any of the myriad ideas he generates. Even a small fraction of Mark’s insights can fill an entire career. I can only imagine how much his family will miss him and my thoughts and prayers are with Adam, Jamie and Betsy. I would like the family to know that Mark enriched my life and I am forever grateful.

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The family of Mark Peter Zanna uploaded a photo

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Mark Peter Zanna

1944 - 2020