Haas, Leonard C.
Biography
Leonard Clarence Haas was born on February 17, 1915, and grew up in Altoona, Wisconsin. Haas graduated from Eau Claire State Teachers College in 1935 with his bachelor’s degree in education. He earned a master’s degree in history from UW-Madison in 1938, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1954. He married Dorellen M. Lambert on May 31, 1941, and returned to UW-Eau Claire that year as a history and government instructor. From 1959-1971, Haas served as President of Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire until 1964, and Wisconsin State University-Eau Claire (1964-1971). From 1971-1973, he served as Executive Vice-President of the University of Wisconsin System where he played a major role in the merging of state colleges and universities into one system. He returned to UW-EC in 1973 and served as chancellor until 1980. Haas remained at the university as a history professor from 1980 until his retirement in 1985. The Fine Arts Center was dedicated to Haas and his wife in 1986. Haas died at the age of 83 on March 14, 1998.
During Haas' tenure the university grew from five to 25 buildings and from 1,700 to nearly 11,000 students. The proportion of students coming from outside the Eau Claire area, and even from outside Wisconsin, increased greatly. Bachelor's degree programs in nursing and business were initiated. Acknowledgment of their high quality came from the college's membership and recognition of excellence in 30 honor societies and accreditations. At the suggestion of his mentor, Professor Laura Sutherland, he adopted "Excellence" as the university's motto.
Occupations
- President -- Date: 1959 - 1971
- Chancellor -- Date: 1973 - 1980
Found in 13 Collections and/or Records:
Bill Zorn Papers, 1916-1987
Willis Lawrence “Bill” Zorn was a Dean of Men, athletic director and a celebrated coach of the UW-Eau Claire basketball and football teams from 1928-1969 at the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire. The collection includes personal and administrative files, Eau Claire athletics and NAIA files, and records of the Air Force Training Program that was housed on the Eau Claire campus from 1943-44.
Centennial Oral History Collection, 2012-2013
Oral history interviews conducted by students and staff, prior to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Centennial in 2016. The interviews cover a wide range of topics related to the history of the school. Includes digital materials.
Leonard Haas Papers, 1923-1991
Personal and professional papers of UW-Eau Claire President and Chancellor Leonard C. Haas (1959-1971, 1973-1980). Papers include class notes and papers as a student, lecture notes, teacher preparation files, and materials related to UW-EC on the President’s Club, economic impact of the university on the community, and evaluation of administration.
Putnam Park Records, 1896-2022
University Archives Photograph Collection, 1916-2011
University Archives Slides Collection, 1916-2002
University Historical Films, 1934-1994
Reel to reel films documenting various events at the Eau Claire State Teachers College (1927-1951), Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire (1951-1964), Wisconsin State University-Eau Claire (1964-1971), and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, dating from 1934 to post 1976. Some of these films are available digitally at: University Historical Films
University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Faculty and Staff Publications and Information Files, circa 1930-1990
Includes original and reprint faculty and staff publications, newspaper clippings, biographical information, and memorial service programs.Also contains a UW--Eau Claire faculty bibliography (circa 1982) and University of Wisconsin System Faculty Publication abstracts from 1967-1970.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation Records, 1936-2024 (bulk 1956-2024)
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Office of the Chancellor Correspondence and Subject File, 1936-2014
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