Thomas J. Haas
Encyclopedia
Thomas Joseph Haas is the fourth and current president of Grand Valley State University
. 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.
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
.
, 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
.
, 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.
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.
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
. 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
State University of New York at Cobleskill
The State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskillis an accredited polytechnic college that is primarily baccalaureate and residential. SUNY Cobleskill is one of few institutions in the United States where an undergraduate student may also choose to earn an...
from 2003 to 2006.
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 MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and another M.S. degree in human resource management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Stephen Van Rensselaer established the Rensselaer School on November 5, 1824 with a letter to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Blatchford, in which van Rensselaer asked Blatchford to serve as the first president. Within the letter he set down several orders of business. He appointed Amos Eaton as the school's...
. He also earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
. Haas has also had fellowship experiences that include Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
Faculty Fellow and completed executive leadership programs at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
Military service
Haas served for over twenty years in the United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
, 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
Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administratively autonomous. It is joined by the Blue Water Bridge over the St. Clair River to Sarnia,...
.
Affirmative action
Despite the passing of the Michigan Civil Rights InitiativeMichigan Civil Rights Initiative
The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative , or Proposal 2 , was a ballot initiative in the U.S. state of Michigan that passed into Michigan Constitutional law by a 58% to 42% margin on November 7, 2006, according to results officially certified by the Michigan Secretary of State. By Michigan law, the...
, 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.
Sustainability and environment
On March 21, 2010, Haas was named one of the "MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
Green Leaders for 2010" by the Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
, 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.