Haak, Harold H.

Educator; president of California State University, Fresno, 1980-1991.

From the description of Papers of Harold H. Haak, 1954-1997. (California State University, Fresno). WorldCat record id: 42455213

Biography

Harold H. Haak was born on June 1, 1935 in Madison, Wisconsin. He received a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Wisconsin in political science and later an M.A. in 1958. Haak went on to receive a Ph.D. from Princeton University. He was hired as an assistant professor at San Diego State University where he became an associate professor of political science, teaching from 1962 to 1969. Haak also served as Dean of Public Administration and Urban Studies at San Diego. He left his position in 1971 to become the Vice President for Academic Affairs at California State University, Fresno (CSUF).

Two years later Haak became the vice president (in 1974 the position was designated as chancellor) of the newly named University of Colorado at Denver (UCD). Haak helped to shape and define the university and its role in the innovative Auraria Higher Education Center (a shared campus for three separate institutions). His efforts were recognized in 1980 when he was awarded the University of Colorado Medal. Haak served six and a half years in Colorado until he returned to Fresno as president of the university.

Haak's presidency spanned eleven and a half years, from 1980 to 1991. Haak served on various committees, both academic and public service. He was voted one of Fresno's most powerful people in 1990. He stepped down as president in 1991. From 1992 to 1993, Haak served as Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for the California State University system on an interim basis.

In 1993 Haak returned to Fresno to teach political science at CSUF.

From the guide to the Harold H. Haak Papers, 1954-1997, (Henry Madden Library (California State University, Fresno). Sanoian Special Collections Library.)