Thomas J. Haas
Thomas Joseph Haas (born March 5, 1951)[1] is the fourth and current president of Grand Valley State University.[2] He also serves as a chemistry professor. Prior to coming to GVSU, Haas served as president of the State University of New York at Cobleskill from 2003 to 2006.
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Education
Haas graduated with honors in 1973 from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He earned two M.S. degrees, one in environmental health sciences and the other in chemistry from the University of Michigan and another M.S. degree in human resource management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He also earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from University of Connecticut. Haas has also had fellowship experiences that include Yale University Faculty Fellow and completed executive leadership programs at Harvard University.[2]
Military service
Haas served for over twenty years in the United States Coast Guard, most of which was spent at the Coast Guard Academy as a chemistry professor and a member of the Permanent Commissioned Teaching Staff. Prior to serving at the Academy, Haas completed two years service on board the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter ACACIA homeported in Port Huron, Michigan.[citation needed]
Affirmative action
Despite the passing of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which prohibits the use of affirmative action in the state, Haas expressed his discontent in a letter to the faculty, staff and students of Grand Valley State University.[citation needed]
Sustainability and environment
On March 21, 2010, Haas was named one of the "Michigan Green Leaders for 2010" by the Detroit Free Press, for his leadership in environmental stewardship across GVSU's campus and in the region for conservation, emissions reduction, building practices, local food advocacy and other such environmental efforts.[3]
More recently he was accused by F.I.R.E. (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) of intimidation of a school journalist for writing an op-ed critical of donor policy.[citation needed]
References
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | President of Grand Valley State University 2006- |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by | President of State University of New York at Cobleskill 2003-2006 |
Succeeded by Donald P. Zingale |
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| Athletics | ||
| Campus | ||
| People | ||
| Presidents |
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| Student life | ||
- Articles with unsourced statements from April 2010
- Articles with unsourced statements from March 2010
- Articles with unsourced statements from January 2014
- Presidents of Grand Valley State University
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni
- Living people
- University of Connecticut alumni
- University of Michigan alumni
- American university and college presidents
- 1951 births
