Betty Haak joins Fresno State President John Welty in unveiling an artist's rendering of the newly named Harold H. Haak Administrative Center in the soon-to-be remodeled and expanded Henry Madden Library.

Fourth floor in new library to honor Harold H. Haak

California State University, Fresno President John D. Welty announced today that the fourth floor of the soon-to-be-constructed new campus library will be named The Harold H. Haak Administrative Center to honor the late Dr. Haak, Fresno State president from 1980 to 1991.

A widely respected scholar and author, Dr. Haak was a faculty member, administrator and president of Fresno State. He died in December 2003.

Betty Haak, family members and friends joined university administrators today for a ceremony in front of the north wing of the Henry Madden Library. That wing will be demolished this summer and a 348,000 square-foot building constructed. The new $91-million library will be the largest academic building on the campus.

“There will be many things to celebrate as this important project begins at Fresno State,” said Welty. “Today, at the inception of it all, I want to do something significant to memorialize the impact of the life of one person on the history of this wonderful university. This person’s history will forever be entwined with the future of Fresno State. This is a leader that I hope students will always look to as an example of scholarship and community involvement.”

Welty noted that Dr. Haak served the university for nearly 21 years: two years as vice president for academic affairs, 11½ years as president and seven years as trustee professor, which included serving as the Maddy Professor and a member of political science faculty.

“Dr. Haak was a wonderful president, a gifted educator, a visionary man, and most importantly, a man of great faith and strong character,” Welty said.

“Every day, even more than a decade after he stepped down as president, I see the evidence of his personality and his leadership still evident at Fresno State. Harold’s impact on this campus wasn’t just in the past, but continues to be experienced today by our faculty and students,” Welty said.

The fourth floor of the library will house the university’s senior administration.  The administrative center will include offices for the president, provost, vice presidents and other university administrators. In addition, there will be significant conferencing capabilities and meeting space.