Stephen Haag leaves a lasting legacy as a builder at the College
It’s 40 degrees in Denver, overcast skies and a threat of sprinkling snow later in the day. Most are bundled up, with the November cold bringing on the seasonal debut of boots, flannel and corduroy.
But Stephen Haag isn’t like most.
The longtime Daniels College of Business professor struts the halls in shorts and flip-flops, his long blonde hair giving more coastal surfer vibes than business information and analytics professor. He doesn’t remember exactly when it started, but knows that this outfit is what he’s most comfortable in.
“I take my flip-flops off when I have to walk through the snow, so I don’t get them wet,” he said with a smile.
After 41 years teaching at the university level and three decades at the University of Denver, Haag has retired, bringing his beachwear with him to Florida.
It’s not just the shorts, sandals and hair that make Stephen Haag stand out. His passion for educating has been apparent since he was in high school. Haag began taking his first college classes when he was 15.
“My mother used to have to drive me to my college classes,” he said.
As a junior in high school, he took a programming class that would set him on his career path for the next 40 years. He knew he wanted to be in technology after that experience, and when another teacher asked if he’d lead a lesson on it to other students, how he’d work in technology was solidified.
“I wasn’t even out of high school yet and I knew the field [I wanted to be in] and how I wanted to approach the field,” he said.
In an effort to find “the furthest place away from Texas,” Haag landed at the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1992. He’d teach there for a couple of years, but, more importantly, meet his future wife. Much like the luck that led him to teaching, there was an element of chance that brought Haag to Denver.
When his wife came to run the University bookstore in 1995, Haag followed.
“Pure serendipity, right place right time, karma, whatever you want to call it. It was never by design to try to get here, but once I was here, I realized how great this place was,” Haag said.
He began as an adjunct faculty member, joining in a full-time professor capacity a year and a half later. From there, Haag acquired titles and responsibilities faster than most could imagine. He would chair the Department of Information Technology and Electronic Commerce, become the associate dean of graduate programs, launch the entrepreneurship program at the College and so much more.
“I’ve had way too many titles,” he said with a laugh.
While some might consider his cup to be overflowing with responsibilities, Haag always had room for more, said longtime colleague Greg Grauberger, executive director of Undergraduate Student Services at Daniels.
“Stephen not only thought about helping everyone. He did help everyone,” Grauberger said. “Over his career at Daniels, he engaged in all facets of the operation to serve others and further the profile of the College. As a faculty member, administrator and colleague, he was always present, displaying cutting-edge critical thinking abilities, emotional intelligence and empathy.”
Right before the COVID-19 pandemic, Haag decided to step back from his administrative business at the college, focusing instead on his true passion.
“I thought at the time, I probably only have about five years left and want to spend them as a teacher,” he said. “And I have so thoroughly enjoyed these last four years, being in the classroom.”
But it’s not just the teaching that kept him energized over four decades.
“I don’t think you get into this profession to be a teacher. I think you get into it to make an impact,” he said. “That’s what you want to see, [that you’re] making a difference in the lives of your students.”
As a former student of Haag that became a colleague, Joshua Ross spoke expertly to his impact.
“Stephen had an unwavering commitment to each of his students and worked tirelessly to grow innovation and entrepreneurship at The University of Denver,” Ross said. “He always was looking around corners at what was possible regardless of restrictions and barriers.”
Ross added that Haag’s tireless effort to curate “a wonderful educational experience” for his students went above and beyond, especially during the early days of the Entrepreneurship “Sprints” (short, one-day workshops run by Entrepreneurship@DU).
“Stephen was on campus every Saturday to coordinate the experience. He made sure that each faculty member had what they needed, and the students had coffee and snacks,” Ross said. “This may seem insignificant, but it meant a lot to both students and faculty, especially early morning on a Saturday.”
That work ethic extends outside of the classroom for Haag, as he has become a prolific author in the technology field. He published his 49th book in 2022, “The Fourth Industrial Revolution 2022: What Every College and High School Student Needs to Know About the Future,” and is currently working on his 50th book in partnership with his two sons. Number 50 might be his last, or maybe not. Haag isn’t quite sure yet.
“I’m writing [this book] with my two sons, and I think it’s going to be special from that point of view. I may just quit it [after],” he said. “Although, 51 sounds better than 50, because then I can say I wrote over 50 books.”
Whether he continues writing or not, Haag is trading the mountain air for the beaches of Florida, where he is moving with his wife. He’ll spend his days fishing and relaxing in the sun, while finding time to travel to destinations like Italy, Vietnam and Australia. He’s sure to mention that most travel will be beach dependent and that his new home is conveniently located about an hour from two beaches on either side of Florida’s coast. The flip-flops are making more sense for this new lifestyle.
While much of what drove him to Daniels happened by chance, Haag couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.
“For me, I never dreaded a day coming here,” he said. “This is just a magnificent place to work.