Dorothy Haas, director of Norton Hall student union

Dorothy M. Haas, long-time student-activities coordinator and student union director of Norton Hall on the South Campus, died March 26 in Cape Coral, Fla. She was 91.

A Buffalo native, Haas earned a bachelor's degree from UB in 1932 and began her career two years later as a secretary at Norton Hall, at the then-private University of Buffalo.

Later, she became assistant director and director of the student union. In 1957, she earned a master's degree at UB.

When the new student union-later renovated as Squire Hall-opened in 1962, she was honored for her dedication and contribution to student life. In 1965, her efforts earned her the Samuel P. Capen Award from the UB Alumni Association.

Haas helped design the then-new student union, which housed a soundproof music listening room, crafts workshop, bookstore, library, WBFO-FM, four food-service operations, student-organization offices and a ballroom.

In 1970, she resigned from the directorship and worked for three years in what is now the Office of Career Planning and Placement, retiring in 1973.

A service celebrating her life will be held in Buffalo next month. Time and location will be announced.