Thomas Joseph Haas (born March 6, 1951)[1] is the fourth and current president of Grand Valley State University.[2][3][4] 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.[2][5]
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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.[3]
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.
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.
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.[6]
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mark Murray |
President of Grand Valley State University 2006- |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by Kenneth E. Wing |
President of State University of New York at Cobleskill 2003-2006 |
Succeeded by Donald P. Zingale |
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