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Lawrence University is mourning the passing of Chong-do Hah, a professor emeritus of government who taught at the institution for 42 years. He passed away on June 24 at the age of 96.

Born in Koje, Korea, Hah moved to the United States in 1952. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, a master’s degree from the University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. from Indiana University before joining Lawrence's faculty in 1961. He served until his retirement in 2003 but continued teaching some classes afterward.

Hah was respected for his intellectual rigor and global expertise and remained connected as a mentor to many students long after their graduation. "As leader of the Government Department, Professor Hah stood for high standards and innovative thought," said Claudena Skran, Edwin & Ruth West Professor of Economics and Social Science and professor of government. "He mentored many students who later pursued academic careers."

Jon Greenwald, a retired senior U.S. diplomat who taught at Lawrence during the 1998-99 academic year as the Scarff Distinguished Visiting Professor of Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, described Hah as a great scholar and mentor. "I had served 30 years in the State Department and U.S. Foreign Service but never taught," Greenwald said. "He took me under his wing, mentored, guided, and encouraged me... I'm grateful that he made me one of his students."

Skran worked alongside Hah for more than a decade in the Department of Government, where he chaired much of that time. "One of the first teacher/scholars at Lawrence to recognize the importance of Asian studies, Professor Hah taught many students to better understand Chinese politics and society," she said.

Hah was an advocate for Lawrence’s Povolny Lecture Series in International Studies and the Scarff professorship, both initiatives that bring visiting scholars to campus. "In so many ways, Professor Hah set the standard of what a Lawrence faculty member could and should be," Skran added.

A 1990 faculty awards nomination letter highlighted how beloved Hah was: “In an era when some undergraduates view rigorous method and social science research skeptically, Chong-do transmits with great skill the virtues of methodological rigor to his students.”

A celebration of Hah’s life is being planned for this fall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Mojmir Povolny and Chong-do Hah Library Fund at Lawrence.

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