Haas Oral History Interviews Project, 1985-1991
Content Description
The Haas Oral History Interviews Project comprises interview tapes and transcribed interviews for 50 sets of interviews conducted by Chancellor Leonard C. Haas and University Archivist Richard Pifer between 1985 to 1988 about the history and development of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The collection contains three sets of interview tapes. Box 1 contains 2nd user copies, interview tapes 1-39, and 50. Box 2 contains 1st user copies, interview tapes 1-50. Box 3 contains master copies of interview tapes 1-50. The collection also contains the 2 booklets of the transcribed interviews, An Oral History of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: a 75th Anniversary Publication, by Leonard C. Haas and Richard L. Pifer, 1991. Booklet I includes information about the project from Leonard Haas, Richard Pifer, and Lawrence D. Lynch (University archivist in 1991); biographical sketches of each person interviewed; and the start of the transcribed interviews. Booklet II includes the rest of the transcribed interviews, and an index of significant subjects or people mentioned throughout the interviews, and the interview number and page number the subject can be found on. The interview tapes for this collection have been digitized and exist in an electronic format. Please consult Special Collections and Archives department staff for access.
Dates
- Creation: 1985-1991
Creator
- Haas, Leonard C. (Person)
- Pifer, Richard L. (Person)
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (Organization)
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to the public.
Use Restrictions
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.
Biographical/Historical Note
Leonard C. Haas graduated from Eau Claire State Teachers College in 1935 with a bachelor’s degree in education. He returned in 1941 as a member of the faculty and administrative staff, teaching history and political science, and became Dean of Instruction in 1948. He served as President of the college/university from 1959-1971 and Chancellor from 1973-1980. With Haas planning to retire, it was proposed that Haas prepare an oral history of the university, based on his knowledge of the university and his many years as student, faculty, and administrative staff. It was planned for Haas and the University Archivist Richard Pifer to conduct 100 hours of oral discussion. Haas’s successors as Chancellor, Emily Hannah and Larry Schnack, helped to fulfill the plans for these oral history interviews. Hannah provided the initial funding for transcription of the tapes.
The interviews were conducted in 2-hour sessions at Leonard Haas’s house. Questions were created before each interview, guided by Haas’s knowledge of the university. Many interviews were conducted between Richard Pifer and Leonard and Dorellen Haas. For the other interviews, Haas chose the people to interview. Topics covered in the interviews include administrative personnel and policies, faculty and their contributions, student matters, development of curriculum and schools, and development of the campus, buildings, and public relations.
The project was completed in 1991. The interviews were conducted between January 1985 and August 1988. Between 1986 to 1991, the interview tapes were transcribed and indexed, with support from the university and UW-Eau Claire Foundation. The transcribed interviews are contained in 2 booklets, An Oral History of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: a 75th Anniversary Publication, by Leonard C. Haas and Richard L. Pifer, 1991.
Extent
3.2 Linear Feet (3 1/2 record cartons, 1 archives box)
Language of Materials
English
Summary
The Haas Oral History Interviews Project comprises interview tapes and transcribed interviews of interviews conducted by Chancellor Leonard C. Haas and University Archivist Richard Pifer between 1985 to 1988 about the history and development of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Haas’s tenure at the university ranged from 1931 into the 1980s, starting as a student, then faculty member/administrative staff, and President and Chancellor from 1959-1971 and 1973-1980. With Haas planning to retire, it was proposed that Haas prepare an oral history of the university. The collection contains interview tapes for 50 sets of interviews, many interviewing Leonard and Dorellen Haas, and other people that Haas chose to interview. The transcribed interviews are contained in 2 booklets, An Oral History of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: a 75th Anniversary Publication, by Leonard C. Haas and Richard L. Pifer. The interview tapes for this collection have been digitized and exist in an electronic format.
Acquisition Information
Donated to the Special Collections & Archives, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire by Leonard Haas, Dorellen Haas, and the University Archives between 1985-1991.
Accession Number
85-168, 86-113, 86-32, 87-25, 89-225
Digitized Materials
The interview tapes for this collection have been digitized and exist in an electronic format. Please consult Special Collections and Archives department staff for access.
Reference Code
AS345
Biographical Sketches of Participants
Interviewers:
Haas, Leonard
President, and then Chancellor, from 1959-1981 (leave of absence October 1971 to March 1973 to serve as executive president of the University of Wisconsin System). Graduated from Eau Claire State Teachers College in 1935, was a professor in history and political science from 1941-1954, Director of Teacher Education and Placement from 1944-1946, and Dean of Instruction from 1948-1959. Chancellor emeritus starting in 1984.
Pifer, Richard
University archivist at UW-Eau Claire from 1980-1989, and also taught Wisconsin History and Genealogy. He then became Collection Development Archivist at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. He acted as interviewer for interviews 1-29 and 50 and assisted with interviews 30-49.
Interviewees (Including Interview Numbers):
Burke, Valena (36)
Dean of women from 1967-1969. Associate Dean of Students from 1969-1982. Associate Dean of Students emerita 1982. She retired in 1982.
Campbell, Kenneth (47)
Art Department: Chair 1964-1967, professor 1966-1992. Designed official university seal featuring the Council Oak Tree in 1966.
Coffman, Marguerite (32)
Faculty member 1964-1977. First Dean of Nursing School 1965-1977. Helped organize emeriti faculty organization. Professor emerita 1977-.
Fay, Mark (30, 35)
Department of Biology: chair 1953-1955 and 1957-1986, faculty 1953-1956, professor 1957-1987; first chair of Faculty Senate 1965-1967; recipient of Faculty Excellence in Service Award 1986. Professor emeritus beginning in 1987.
Haas, Dorellen (37-38, 50)
Came to UWEC in 1941 with her husband, Leonard Haas, as a faculty wife; participated actively in campus life throughout his tenure.
Haas, Leonard (1-29, 50)
President, and then Chancellor, from 1959-1981 (leave of absence October 1971 to March 1973 to serve as executive president of the University of Wisconsin System). Graduated from Eau Claire State Teachers College in 1935, was a professor in history and political science from 1941-1954, Director of Teacher Education and Placement from 1944-1946, and Dean of Instruction from 1948-1959. Chancellor emeritus starting in 1984.
Hallatt, Douglas (42)
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs from 1969-1970; Director of Housing from 1970-1991; Director of Leadership Institute from 1990-1991; and professor of Education starting in 1990.
Harry, Ormsby (36)
Assistant Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students from 1963-1983. Assistant Chancellor and professor emeritus starting in 1983.
Hinz, Ida (39)
Department of Physical Education: faculty 1949-1983, department chair 1969-1983, professor emerita starting in 1983.
Johnson, Rodney (41)
Associate Dean, School of Education 1967-1969; Dean, School of Education 1969-1987; Professor, Elementary Education 1987-1990. Professor emeritus starting in 1990.
Mitchell, William (48)
Department of Business Education and Administrative Management: Chair 1964-1984, professor 1964-1993. He retired in 1993.
Morris, John (33-34)
Professor of English from 1956-1965 and 1982-1988; Dean, School of Arts and Sciences from 1965-1971; Vice Chancellor from 1971-1982; Acting Chancellor from October 1972-April 1973. He retired and was Professor emeritus starting in 1988.
Rolland, Barbara (46)
Department of Foreign Languages: Assistant Professor from 1960-1984 and Associate Professor from 1985 to present [1991]. Foreign student advisor from 1974-1984. English as a second language coordinator from 1985 to present [1991]. She retired in 1993.
Rowe, Mary (45)
School of Education: Campus School Supervisor from 1945-1972, faculty from 1945-1981. Taught at Bornu Teachers College, Nigeria, 1965-1967. She retired in 1981.
Wagner, Berniece (49)
Associate professor and coordinator of Medical-Surgical Nursing from 1965-1969; Chair of Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing from 1970-1979 (and professor from 1977-1988.); Associate Dean of School of Nursing from 1979-1988. Professor emerita starting in 1988.
Walsh, Grace (31)
Speech Department: Faculty from 1944-1946. Director of Forensics from 1944-1980 (25 state champions, 6 national champions). Coached 10 teams to National Debate Tourney, New York. Professor emerita starting in 1980.
Wenner, James (44)
Dean of School of Business from 1971 to present [1991]; Professor of Marketing from 1971 to present [1991]. He retired in 1996.
Wick, Marshall (43)
Mathematics Department: Faculty from 1956-1965, professor from 1965-1991, department chair from 1980-1990. Graduate of Eau Claire State Teachers College in 1951. Excellence in Teaching Award granted in 1969. Chair of Faculty Senate from 1975-1977. Professor emeritus starting in 1991. He retired in 1991.
Wing, Geraldine (40)
Joined the staff of Eau Claire State Teachers College as staff in 1930 as secretary to the accounting clerk, then secretary to President Schofield (1934-1940), President Davies (1941-1959), and President/Chancellor Haas (1959-1980). She retired in 1980.
Processing Note
Processed by Julie Hatfield in December 2024-January 2025. Digitization of interview tapes was conducted by University Archives student workers and interns during 2021-2022, and Julie Hatfield during 2025.
Subject
- Haas, Leonard C. (Person)
- Pifer, Richard L. (Person)
- Fay, Marcus (Person)
- Walsh, Grace (Person)
- Coffman, Marguerite (Person)
- Morris, John W. (Person)
- Harry, Ormsby L. (Person)
- Burke, Valena H. (Person)
- Haas, Dorellen (Person)
- Hinz, Ida (Person)
- Wing, Geraldine (Jerry) (Person)
- Johnson, Rodney (Person)
- Hallatt, Douglas (Person)
- Wick, Marshall (Person)
- Wenner, James (Person)
- Rowe, Mary (Person)
- Rolland, Barbara (Person)
- Campbell, Kenneth (Person)
- Mitchell, William (Person)
- Wagner, Berniece (Person)
- Eau Claire State Normal School (Organization)
- Eau Claire State Teachers College (Organization)
- Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire (Organization)
- Wisconsin State University-Eau Claire (Organization)
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (Organization)
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. McIntyre Library. Special Collections & Archives (Organization)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Occupation
Topical
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Julie Hatfield
- Date
- January 8, 2025
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and Archives, McIntyre Library, UW-Eau Claire Repository
Special Collections and Archives, McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
103 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire WI 54701 United States
715-836-2739
library.archives@uwec.edu