Leonard Haas (February 17, 1915 – March 14, 1998) was an American educator and president and chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He served as the university's president from 1959[1] to 1971 and as the chancellor from 1973 to 1980.[2] Haas served several years on the Eau Claire City Council.

Interim chancellor Marjorie Smelstor said:

Leonard Haas' stature in the higher education community cannot be overstated. On the national level he played a significant role in the development of the American Association of State Colleges, both as a founder and as a member of several key committees. On the state level his vision and leadership helped shape the UW System, as we know it today. And of course at UW-Eau Claire his legacy is enormous. In particular we remember his commitment to internationalizing the campus, which began when he was chancellor and continued throughout his years as emeritus chancellor.[3]

Haas came from the small railroad town of Altoona, Wisconsin,[1][4] and he graduated from Altoona High School in 1932.[5] He received his undergraduate degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1935,[1] his master's degree from University of Wisconsin–Madison, and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He did additional graduate work at Columbia University and the University of Southern California. In 1968, Haas was awarded the LL.D. from St. Olaf College.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Leonard Haas New President of State School". The Post-Crescent. November 17, 1959. p. 2. Retrieved May 28, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ A Brief History of UW-Eau Claire Archived 2012-08-05 at archive.today. Retrieved 2013-03-20.
  3. ^ a b "Chancellor Emeritus Leonard Haas Dies March 14 in Eau Claire" Archived 2014-05-20 at the Wayback Machine. UW-Eau Claire News Bureau, March 16, 1998
  4. ^ Carter, Hilda R., and Jenswold, John R., The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: A History 1916–1976. Eau Claire, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation, Inc., 1976, page 35. Haas was born at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, but his family lived in the neighboring town of Altoona.
  5. ^ USGenWeb Archives, March 30, 2000. Retrieved 2013-03-20.