A leader with a long history in the Fresno community and broad academic and administrative experience has been named interim president at Fresno Pacific University.
Harold Haak, former president of California State University, Fresno, will step into the office being vacated by Allen Carden, who announced his resignation in January.
Haak served as president of CSUF from 1980-91 and is currently a professor of political science there. Haak will also continue to provide leadership for the development of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at CSUF.
"We are thrilled to have Dr. Haak join our community," said Eugene Enns, president of the FPU board of trustees. "His experience in university leadership and reputation in the Valley will help us further build the university for the challenges and opportunities facing us in the next century."
The board approved Haak following a week of meetings between the candidate and university faculty and staff. "The FPU community is very excited about this appointment. Confidence is very high in Dr. Haak's professionalism and his understanding of our needs and goals," said university spokesperson Teresa Patterson. "He'll make a good fit for FPU."
Haak called his appointment an opportunity for service. "I feel a strong empathy with the mission of this university. Its commitment to academic excellence and Christian character development that allows students to cultivate to the fullest all their gifts."
In addition to his stint as president at CSUF, Haak has served as interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, academic vice president and professor in the joint doctoral program in educational leadership with the University of California, Davis. He has also served as chancellor and professor of public affairs at the University of Colorado at Denver and dean of the college of professional studies at San Diego State University. Haak holds bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from the University of Wisconsin as well as a Ph. D from Princeton University in political science.