William R. Haden
ACTING PRESIDENT 1991–92
Born on April 29, 1942, in Beckley, West Virginia
The board of trustees appointed William R. Haden acting president in 1991. Prior to his appointment, Haden served as the vice president of public affairs at Reed, beginning in 1987. Before that, he had been vice president for development in alumni relations at the University of Chicago and had lived in Portland for over a year while serving in a military intelligence unit.
As acting president, Haden worked to strengthen the college’s finances and improve alumni relations. He helped to establish the Douglas F. Cooley Memorial Art Gallery with gifts given to the college by John and Betty Gray and Ed and Sue Cooley, and it was during his tenure that Reed broke ground to build the chemistry building and other projects on campus, including construction of the cross-canyon bridge. Haden also served as an officer on the World Affairs Council of Oregon while at Reed.
In 1995, Haden left Reed to become president of West Virginia Wesleyan College, from which he retired in 2006.
Haden holds a B.A. in political science from West Virginia University and an M.P.A. from George Washington University. In 2005, his alma mater awarded him a distinguished service award for his contributions and achievements in higher education.