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.

As of 2022, three scholarships through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation are named in honor of Leonard and Dorellen Haas. The Alumni Scholarship – Leonard and Dorellen Haas, is one $500 scholarship available to a junior or senior with characteristics of service to the university, scholarship, character, and a minimum 3.5 GPA. During the Golden Jubilee (1965-1966), Haas received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award, and in 1980 Dorellen was named an Honorary Blugold. This scholarship was established to honor the Haas’s legacy, who were interested in all students.

Two scholarships connected to international study and study abroad are also available. The Leonard and Dorellen Haas International Study, and Leonard and Dorellen Haas Study Abroad scholarships, both providing a number of scholarships up to $3,000. The Haas’s enjoyed international travel, were interested in international education, and provided leadership to establish study abroad programs. The international study scholarship goes to a continuing undergraduate or graduate student with at least a 3.0 GPA, with at least one semester of high academic achievement, and will make a public presentation based on a study experience. The study abroad scholarship goes to a full time student with high academic achievement, and has participated in the study abroad program.