Staff Profiles - administration
Dr. John D. Haeger
President, NAU 12th Year John D. Haeger leads Northern Arizona University in its commitment to undergraduate education—a commitment enhanced by the university’s ongoing efforts in research, graduate education and distance learning. Dr. Haeger has been NAU president since November 2001 after joining the university to serve as NAU provost in June 2000. During his term as president, Dr. Haeger has guided the university to new heights in student enrollment in Flagstaff and across the state, answering the call from the Governor’s Office and the state Legislature to make higher education accessible and affordable to all Arizona citizens. He also has ushered the university into its largest building boom since the 22-year term of former NAU President J. Lawrence Walkup. As the nation grapples with an increasing need for scientists, health professionals, engineers and technical experts, Dr. Haeger is re-emphasizing the university’s efforts to attract and retain qualified teachers who will draw students into these fields. Further, he has fully endorsed a national effort to increase institutional accountability, explaining that Northern Arizona University must perform on a level that demonstrates its significance to students and to society. Among other university achievements under his leadership:
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lege of Business. Dr. Haeger also is a charter signatory of the American College & University • Tuition guarantee. NAU President John Presidents Climate Commitment, created as an Haeger instituted a pilot “block tuition” pro- avenue for university leaders to define and adposal that would guarantee first- time, full-time dress the challenges of climate change. freshmen and transfer students the same tuition rate for eight semesters, bringing predictability • Opening a door to China. Dr. Haeger, who serves on the American Association of State to the cost of higher education. College and Universities’ Committee on Inter• ‘Finish in Four’ guarantee. NAU promises national Education, has signed agreements with to provide students the advisement help and several Chinese universities that will enhance courses necessary to obtain their degree within the international flavor of NAU’s campus as well as offer Chinese students a degree from NAU four years. and their home university. • Expansion of nursing and the health professions. The university has placed special em- Dr. Haeger is a member of the Arizona Board phasis on graduating more students in nursing of Education, the Governor’s P-20 Council, and developing or expanding programs in the the board of governors of the Translational health professions, including occupational ther- Genomics Research Institute, known as TGen, the Arizona Commerce Authority, the steering apy, athletic training and physicians assistant. committee of the American Presidents’ Climate • Commitment to research. With a goal to Commitment, and a member of both the Greatunderpin the university’s distinctive research er Phoenix Leadership and the Flagstaff 40. He profile, President Haeger has instituted NAU’s also is former chair of the United Way of Northfirst office of Vice President for Research. In ern Arizona board, serves as commissioner for Yuma, ground has been broken on a 12,225- the Western Interstate Commission for Higher square-foot building that will provide collabo- Education, and is past chair of the Council of rative research opportunities in environmental Presidents of the Big Sky Conference. disciplines and will accommodate expansion of four-year degree programs in engineering and He has worked at all levels of higher education—professor, chair, dean, vice president, and nursing. provost. • High Country Conference Center. Dr. Haeger initiated a joint partnership among NAU, Dr. Haeger earned his bachelor’s, master’s and the city of Flagstaff, the Arizona Board of Re- doctoral degrees from Loyola University in Chigents, Sodexo Conferencing and Drury Hotels cago. He was a professor and chair of the histoto build a 42,000-square-foot conference center ry department at Central Michigan University and an adjoining hotel and parking structure. as well as the dean of the College of Arts and The complex will be a financial, cultural and Sciences. He later worked as associate dean and educational asset to the university and Flagstaff then interim dean and finally dean of the Colcommunities. Consultants have estimated the lege of Graduate Studies/Office of Research economic benefit to northern Arizona to be and Sponsored Programs at the same institution. about $7 million annually. • Largest gift in university history. The College of Business Administration was able to acquire the largest gift in university history, a $25 million donation from prominent business leader William Franke. The college was renamed The W.A. Franke College of Business. • Arizona Cardinals partnership. The National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals agreed to continue to operate their training camp at the Flagstaff campus. About $2 million is added to the northern Arizona economy as a result of the Cardinals training camp. • ’Going green.’ The university is home to the greenest building in Arizona and one of the three greenest in the world after receiving a “Platinum” rating for its Applied Research and Development building shortly after the university earned “Gold” ratings for buildings that house Engineering and The W.A. Franke Col-
He also served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Towson University in Maryland. He had substantial years in the classroom before his administrative career and published several books and numerous articles on topics related to the history of economic change in the United States and how it affects individuals and institutions. His 1982 book, The Investment Frontier: New York Businessmen and the American West, won a national award from Choice magazine, and his 1991 book, John Jacob Astor: Business and Finance in the Early Republic, argued for Astor’s role as the first modern American venture capitalist. Dr. Haeger has said he still defines himself by his teaching and research on economic development. “In a way, I am now living the story that I used to teach and write about,” he said.
Five-Time Defending Big Sky Men’s Champions