In an e-mail, Haviland said, “I came as a freshman in September 1960, was named to the faculty in June 1965, and the rest, as they say, is history.” He earned a B.S. in Building Sciences, a B.Arch., and a M.Arch. Since 1969, he has served in many different positions, including director of the center for architectural research, associate dean of architecture, professor of architecture, dean of architecture, and vice president for student life. He has been in his current position since 2000.

Of all his time here, he said that he would classify the current era as the most exciting for the entire campus. He continued, “Rensselaer is growing in scope and importance: many new faculty, bold forays into biotechnology and the arts, new and exciting research, a curriculum that is starting to be more interesting and diverse, $400 million in construction and renovation, and much more visibility among the nation’s best universities.” He also stated that President Shirley Ann Jackson is “the most dynamic leader I’ve worked with.”

Haviland said via e-mail that the students are what he will remember most about his career here. He explained, “Students represent the future of everything I hold dear: my discipline and profession, architecture; Rensselaer, my Alma Mater; and most important, the prospect of a better world for my children and their children.”

During the time that The Rensselaer Plan was being developed, Haviland, as vice president for student life, contributed many ideas to the Plan and was one of its writers.

Aside from administrative positions, Haviland’s interests for research and teaching focused on the building procurement, design and construction process. Within the field, he has authored 85 books, articles, monographs, and other publications.

While Haviland will be retiring from his position here, he does not plan on leaving the area. He and his wife, Katie, volunteer for several not-for-profit groups in the area. These range from arts, cultural, and education organizations and he said they would now have more time to help out in this way. He also pointed out, “Because I like being part of dynamic institutions, I don’t want to be too far away from RPI.”

Haviland said that if he could change one thing at the Institute, “My wish [would be] that everyone here—every student, every staff member, every faculty member—would see himself or herself as a steward of Rensselaer. After all, everything that RPI has been, is, and will be, is what we, our predecessors, and our successors make of it. Too often, we succumb to thinking of ourserves as ‘customers’ or ‘employees’ with little influence. In my dream, we all see ourselves as active stewards, who both take from, and more important contribute to, an extraordinary place.”

In September, the new waterfall in the Commons Quad was dedicated in honor of Haviland and his wife. The waterfall was built as the class gift for the Class of 2005. The shrubbery around the waterfall is the Class of 2006 gift.

During the retirement reception in his honor, Jackson announced that Haviland would be receiving the third Trustees Medal ever awarded by the RPI Board of Trustees. The award will be formally presented at Commencement in the spring.