A Decade of the Haub Legacy

When Pace University renamed its law school in honor of Elisabeth Haub in 2016, it celebrated more than a transformative partnership. It recognized a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, public service, and the belief that law can be a powerful force for protecting people and the planet.

Years later, as Elisabeth Haub School of Law marks the 10th anniversary of its naming during the Law School’s 50th anniversary year, that vision continues to guide the Institution and inspire environmental leaders around the world.

Elisabeth Haub devoted her life to conservation, environmental protection, and philanthropy. Long before sustainability became a global priority, she championed efforts to preserve natural resources and support organizations dedicated to environmental stewardship. Her commitment to protecting the natural world became a defining legacy—one that continues today through the work of her family and the institutions that bear her name.

We want to continue the legacy of my grandmother, Elisabeth Haub, who was a pioneer in environmental protection, and endowing this law school in her name ensures her vision will continue to impact future generations.

—Christian W.E. Haub, 2016

The decision to rename the Law School in her honor reflected a natural alignment between Elisabeth Haub’s values and Pace’s longstanding leadership in environmental law. For decades, the Law School has educated lawyers, policymakers, advocates, and scholars committed to addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. The Haub name strengthened that connection and affirmed a shared belief that environmental protection and the rule of law are inseparable. In doing so, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law also became just one of two ABA-accredited law schools in the United States named solely in honor of a woman, an enduring recognition of Elisabeth Haub’s extraordinary legacy and leadership.

One of the most enduring expressions of that legacy is the Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy. Established in 1979, the award has long recognized individuals whose work has advanced environmental protection through law, policy, and international cooperation. Over the years, recipients have included heads of state, diplomats, jurists, policymakers, scientists, and environmental advocates whose leadership has helped shape environmental governance on a global scale. Among its laureates are architects of the Paris Climate Agreement, leading climate activists, international negotiators, and United Nations experts whose work has shaped environmental law and policy around the world.

In 2016, the award entered a new chapter when the Elisabeth Haub Foundation and Elisabeth Haub School of Law partnered to create the Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy in its current form. The collaboration united a distinguished tradition of environmental recognition with the Law School’s internationally respected environmental law program, further elevating the award’s global profile and reinforcing its role as one of the field’s most prestigious honors.

The award celebrates individuals whose leadership demonstrates the values that defined Elisabeth Haub’s life: environmental stewardship, international cooperation, and a commitment to addressing complex global challenges. Through the award, the School continues to recognize those whose work advances environmental protection and inspires meaningful change around the world.

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The Haub family’s commitment to environmental stewardship and education remains as strong today as it was a decade ago. Steadfast friends and benefactors of Pace University, subsequent generations of the family have continued to advance Elisabeth Haub’s vision through philanthropy, environmental leadership, and support for educational opportunity. In 2026, Liliane and Christian Haub were recognized at Pace University’s Spirit of Pace Awards, which honor individuals whose professional achievements, service, and longstanding support have strengthened the University community. Their recognition reflects the enduring legacy of leadership and generosity that has connected the Haub family to Pace University for generations.

Liliane Haub, who has served on Pace University’s Board of Trustees for more than ten years, has dedicated much of her career to environmental conservation and sustainability initiatives around the world. Through leadership roles with organizations focused on conservation, environmental education, and land preservation, she has continued the family’s longstanding commitment to protecting the natural world. Christian Haub, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of the Tengelmann Group, has carried forward the entrepreneurial and philanthropic traditions of a sixth-generation family enterprise while remaining deeply connected to the environmental values championed by his grandmother. In recent years, Liliane and Christian’s children have continued the family’s legacy through their own participation and support of the Law School, reflecting a multigenerational commitment to advancing legal education and environmental stewardship.

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As the Law School celebrates its 50th anniversary, the 10th anniversary of the Haub naming offers an opportunity to reflect not only on a remarkable partnership, but also on a legacy that continues to grow. From Elisabeth Haub’s pioneering environmental advocacy to the international impact of the Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy, and from the continued leadership of the Haub family to the students and scholars carrying that work forward, the Haub legacy remains a defining part of the School’s identity.

A decade after the renaming, Elisabeth Haub’s vision continues to inspire action, foster innovation, and demonstrate the power of law to advance environmental protection and the public good.