Cerritos College announced the death of John Haas, a history professor and the founder of the Global Consortium for Sustainable Peace, on Sept. 26 – he died on Sept. 24.
Haas was a key figure at the college during his 26 year-long career teaching at Cerritos College – he was involved in many workings at the college and frequently made his presence felt throughout the campus.
“Dr. John Haas was an incredible professor and colleague. He was engaging, kind, and steadfast in his mission to prepare others to be globally competent citizens,” Cerritos College President Dr. Jose Fierro said, “During his tenure, Professor Haas pioneered creative ways to bring the world to Cerritos College through technology, and he helped us to appreciate the interconnectedness of all people and systems. He truly made the world a better place, and I join my colleagues in mourning his passing.”
In particular, he spent much of his career bringing many notable figures to speak at the college such as Noam Chomsky. More recently, he’d welcomed Israeli journalist Gideon Levy, constitutional scholar Laurence Tribe and Irish activist Goretti Horgan to speak at the college via Zoom.
Haas was recognized in 2016 for his efforts in global peacebuilding through his Global Consortium broadcasts when he received a Southern California Mediation Association’s Education Foundation Directors Award – he was also awarded the outstanding faculty award in 2000-2001.
Elizabeth Miller, the dean of student services, said, “I worked with Dr. Haas over the years related to programs he presented that were supported by ASCC. Dr. Haas was incredibly passionate about his work and his students. He could explain complex socio-political issues in a way that made them approachable, and encouraged others to get involved in causes they care about.”
She continued, “It was also a pleasure to work with him, he was thoughtful and caring, and always put students first. He is sincerely missed by all in our office.”
Cerritos College Faculty Federation president Lynn Wang, said, “It is a huge loss to the campus community. Dr. Haas brought many speakers to the campus in-person and/or online, which allowed our students to hear from renowned scholars around the world. His teachings and research have benefited our community for many years.”
Several of Haas’s colleagues, friends, and former students also wanted to voice their thoughts on him.
Dennis Falcon, a political science professor and the former president of the faculty senate, reflected on the past 26 years he spent being a colleague of Haas with fondness and how much Haas meant to him.
Falcon said, “I hope this isn’t exaggerating, but I hope people give him credit for being a community college professor – not to put it down, right. He contributed things… that are hard to match.
“There’s a lot of people around here doing really good stuff, but he was just different – he left a mark and was probably… one of the best professors, best teachers, best people I’ve ever met, anywhere.”
“I can’t wait to see his family and share with them how my 29 years here, that he was a part of it for (26) years – I can’t imagine my 29 years here without him,” Falcon added.
Professor Solomon Namala said, “I’ve known him ever since I’ve been here. You know he’s a warm, caring person, also jovial and has some joke or something – I always saw him with his students”
“He was really somebody who was always concerned with his students. He never wanted to be anything other than a teacher. And that I really admired about him,”
Professor Sunday Obazuaye worked with Haas for the past 26 years and was office mates with him. He reflected on his memories during that time.
Obazuaye shared that he and Haas were once office mates in the basement of the Social Sciences building. Both were presented with the opportunity to have the office on the second floor. Obazuaye took it, but later learned that Haas forgoed it because he wanted to continue sharing an office with him.
Obazuaye said, “John saw the announcement and he told his wife, there’s an open office on the second floor, but I don’t want to leave my office mate. We were office mates, he didn’t want to leave me. So that’s how close we were as colleagues and friends.“
Professor George Jarrett said, “I think it’s important to understand that aside from his curiosity and his love of people and a lot of other things he enjoyed, he really had a purpose. You know the fact that he called the organization that he founded, the Global Consortium for Sustainable Peace, the point of all of it was really to help bring about peace and reconciliation in the world.
“I think that’ll be his legacy as well. That he essentially helped people to understand each other, the conflicts in the world and the humanity of people involved in those conflicts as well. I just think it’s really important.“
Several of Haas’s colleagues mentioned wanting to honor him in some way.
Haas’s family held a memorial for him on Oct. 26 at Scripps College’s Balch Auditorium from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Attendees of the memorial were encouraged to wear their favorite band t-shirt or sports jersey and donate to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights’ DACA Trust Fund.
Haas’s office door was decorated by visitors with messages, pictures and cards.
Veronica Sanchez, one of his colleagues, put together a box to collect memories from people who knew him and gave the memories to his family after the memorial.
For the Social Science building’s Dia de los Muertos Altar Creation & Halloween Decoration Competition on Oc. 30, an altar with Day of the Dead-themed decorations was set up with pictures of Haas outside of his old office.
Paul Hernandez, a former student of Haas, said when he returned to college, the way Haas taught showed him a new way of learning.
He said, “The way he would explain material and the way he would talk about different experiences really impacted me. It kinda made me realize that being a student can be more than reading books.”
A grief counselor was available on campus on Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon in room 16 of the Social Sciences building – confidential counseling is also available to employees, 24/7 through the Employee Assistance Service for Education at 1-800-882-1341.
Editor’s note: News Editor Andrew Pilani is a former student of John Haas. This article was updated on Oct. 28 to add additional comments and information.
Karla O'Donis • Oct 16, 2024 at 12:10 pm
I went back to college at 30 years-old back in 2004. I felt out of place as most of all of my classmates were 18, 19 or in their 20’s. I took my first history class as a requirement with Dr. Hass. I always liked history, and I always say ” Liked” past tense because after I took Dr. Hass’s class I can say ” I love history.” He made history come alive. I took 3 of classes before transferring. Not only was he a great professor, he was an exceptional human being as he taught me that we do not and should not stop learning regardless of any age. ” You can do it” , ” See, your doing it.” ” Be proud of your accomplishments and celebrate yourself.” He wrote me my first letters of recommendation to get my first government job and to apply for a master’s degree.
My son, that never liked history took his class and loved his teaching style and remembers him with admiration. I found out late about his passing and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, to all my Alma Mater professors that were his family away from hom, and to the students who were lucky to take his classes. Dr. Hass…. you left some big shoes to fill in as a person and as a professor. Rest in peace..