T. Marshall Hahn facts for kids

Thomas Marshall Hahn, Jr. (born December 2, 1926 – died May 29, 2016) was an important American educator and business leader. He is best known for being the President of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) from 1962 to 1974. Later, he became the CEO of Georgia-Pacific Corporation, a large company, from 1983 to 1993.

Early Life and Learning

Thomas Hahn was born in Lexington, Kentucky. He went to public schools there. At just 18 years old, he graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1945. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics with "highest honors."

After college, he joined the U.S. Navy. He worked as a physicist for the Naval Ordnance Laboratory. After his time in the Navy, he continued his studies. He went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1949, he earned his Ph.D. in physics from MIT.

Career Highlights

Thomas Hahn started his career as a research assistant at MIT in 1947. In 1949, he returned to the University of Kentucky. There, he became a physics professor.

Joining Virginia Tech

In 1954, Hahn moved to Blacksburg, Virginia. He joined Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech). He became the head of the Physics Department. He helped create a new doctoral program in nuclear engineering physics. He also helped get a nuclear reactor simulator for the university in 1957.

From 1959 to 1962, he served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University.

Leading Virginia Tech

Thomas Hahn returned to Virginia Tech as its President on July 1, 1962. He stayed in this role until 1975. He played a huge part in changing Virginia Tech. It went from a small, mostly military school to a major university.

Before Hahn, Virginia Tech focused on agriculture and engineering. It was mainly for men and emphasized teaching over research. Under Hahn, it became Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. It welcomed both male and female students and many different races. The university also grew its research and graduate programs.

In 1964, Hahn made a big change. He removed the rule that students had to join the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. He also ended Virginia Tech's ties with Radford University. Radford had been the women's division of VPI since 1944. These changes helped the student population grow three times larger.

Student Protests and Challenges

During Hahn's time, there were student protests. In 1970, students protested against the Vietnam War. Some students and teachers interrupted a Corps of Cadets drill. This caused a disturbance on campus. Hahn had to get a court order to stop further disruptions.

Later, after the Kent State shootings, some students occupied Williams Hall. Hahn called in the Virginia State Police. The police ended the situation. The students involved were expelled from the university.

Hahn served as President until December 31, 1974. William Edward Lavery took over as President in 1975.

Business Leadership

After leaving Virginia Tech, Hahn joined the Georgia-Pacific Corporation. This is a large company that makes paper and other products. He became a director in 1973. He held many important roles, including president and chief operating officer. From 1983 to 1993, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

During his time as CEO, the paper industry grew a lot. Hahn made a big decision to buy Great Northern Nekoosa. This helped Georgia-Pacific's paper business grow even more. He also helped organize a tour for the New Virginians, a musical group from Virginia Tech. They performed at Georgia-Pacific locations across the country.

Other Important Roles

Hahn also served as President of Air University from 1966 to 1969. He was on the Board of Visitors for Ferrum Junior College. He was a member of the National Science Board. The President of the United States appointed him to this board in 1972.

He was also a director for several other companies and organizations. These included banks and insurance companies. He served on many state commissions and boards. For example, he was on the Virginia State Board of Agriculture and Commerce. He also chaired the Metropolitan Areas Study Commission of Virginia.

Later Life and Family

After retiring from Georgia-Pacific in 1993, Hahn returned to Montgomery County, Virginia. He lived on his farm in the Ellett Valley. There, he raised cattle, sheep, and goats.

Thomas Hahn married Margaret Louise "Peggy" Lee in 1948. They had three children together. Peggy passed away in 2009. Later, he married Jean Russell Quible, but they later divorced.

Thomas Hahn passed away on May 29, 2016. He had been battling Parkinson's disease for ten years. He is buried in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Honors and Recognition

Thomas Hahn received many honors for his work.

• In 1965, he was named to the Hall of Distinguished Alumni at the University of Kentucky.
• He was recognized by eight different Greek honorary fraternities.
• In 1976, he received the MIT Corporate Leadership Award. He also received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Seton Hall University.
• Virginia Tech gave him an honorary doctorate of science in 1987.
• In 1990, Virginia Tech named Hahn Hall after him.
• The Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion and Horticulture Garden are named after his wife, Peggy.