Overview

Theodore Martin Hesburgh, C.S.C. (1917-2015) was the most widely recognized priest and university president of the twentieth century. His tenure as the leader of the University of Notre Dame not only spanned 35 years (1952-1987) but also arched across the most tumultuous era in the history of higher education—the late 1960s through the early 1970s. During those years, the university’s faculty grew from 350 to 950, enrollment climbed from 4,979 to 9,600, the annual operating budget went from $9.7 million to $176 million, the endowment jumped from $9 million to $350 million, and funding for research soared from $735,000 to $15 million. Over 40 new buildings were also added during his presidency. As a public intellectual, Hesburgh also invested in the debates that defined the mid to late twentieth century. At a time when such intellectuals were in retreat, Hesburgh contributed to policy efforts related to science and technology, civil and human rights, and foreign relations and peace. At the core of his commitment to those issues was his vocation as a priest and his belief in serving as a mediator between heaven and earth. Assessing Hesburgh’s legacy, however, is difficult due to the lack of concise ways to access his thought and the nature of his contributions. By highlighting his own words, this volume fills that void by offering insights into how he transformed the University of Notre Dame and addressed the pressing debates of his day.

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9781793625403

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For decades, Fr. Theodore Hesburgh was a trusted voice on issues of civil rights, social progress, and the purposes of the university. This volume offers a compelling introduction to his thought, which was grounded in a clear moral vision that put the dignity of every human being at its core and remains relevant to the challenges of our own time.--Roger W. Ferguson, CEO TIAA Hesburgh of Notre Dame demonstrates the breadth of thought and scholarship of Father Ted Hesburgh. It is a first-hand account of the Civil Rights Commission and demonstrates how racial justice is a cyclical movement to address the original sin of our nation. But not only that. The breadth of thought, spiritual hopefulness, awareness of interdependence, the role of higher education and the general pursuit of truth are all reasons to delve into this collection. It lifts up the reality of the twentieth century concerns in both a global and local context. Fr. Ted comes through as a hopeful visionary and hard worker for positive change in education, our nation and our world. A worthy model for our time.--Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, NETWORK Advocates for Catholic Social Justice Hesburgh of Notre Dame is an amazing collections of items that together really provide more than it promises, An Introduction to His Life and Work. It provides the reader with an accurate picture of a Man for All Seasons, my friend and long-time role model, Father Ted - Hesburgh of Notre Dame and the World.--Charles E. Young, Chancellor Emeritus UCLA, University of Florida Much has been written of Father Hesburgh's work and influence as priest-president of the University of Notre Dame for thirty-five years, and as a member of numerous academic and government commissions and boards, but this book, a compilation of his most important public addresses, reveals the spirit and motivation behind these various activities. It is an important contribution to the growing Hesburgh literature, and better than most, it helps the reader understand the man himself.--Thomas E. Blantz, C.S.C., Professor Emeritus of History, University of Notre Dame This unique volume gives the full measure of an extraordinary man in his own words. Here we meet Hesburgh the leader, educator, optimist, Americanist, social justice advocate, voice for moral ideals in politics, and, above all, priest. He was the priest who promoted lay leadership, the celibate who pushed for gender equity, the man who sought to be, in Todd Ream's words, 'Christ's mediating presence in the world.' Ream's judicious selection of Hesburgh's writings and incisive introductions to his work make this volume invaluable.--William T. Cavanaugh, Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology and DePaul University

"For decades, Fr. Theodore Hesburgh was a trusted voice on issues of civil rights, social progress, and the purposes of the university. This volume offers a compelling introduction to his thought, which was grounded in a clear moral vision that put the dignity of every human being at its core and remains relevant to the challenges of our own time. --Roger W. Ferguson, CEO TIAA Hesburgh of Notre Dame demonstrates the breadth of thought and scholarship of Father Ted Hesburgh. It is a first-hand account of the Civil Rights Commission and demonstrates how racial justice is a cyclical movement to address the original sin of our nation. But not only that. The breadth of thought, spiritual hopefulness, awareness of interdependence, the role of higher education and the general pursuit of truth are all reasons to delve into this collection. It lifts up the reality of the twentieth century concerns in both a global and local context. Fr. Ted comes through as a hopeful visionary and hard worker for positive change in education, our nation and our world. A worthy model for our time. --Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, NETWORK Advocates for Catholic Social Justice Hesburgh of Notre Dame is an amazing collections of items that together really provide more than it promises, ""An Introduction to His Life and Work."" It provides the reader with an accurate picture of a Man for All Seasons, my friend and long-time role model, Father Ted - Hesburgh of Notre Dame and the World. --Charles E. Young, Chancellor Emeritus UCLA, University of Florida Much has been written of Father Hesburgh's work and influence as priest-president of the University of Notre Dame for thirty-five years, and as a member of numerous academic and government commissions and boards, but this book, a compilation of his most important public addresses, reveals the spirit and motivation behind these various activities. It is an important contribution to the growing Hesburgh literature, and better than most, it helps the reader understand the man himself. --Thomas E. Blantz, C.S.C., Professor Emeritus of History, University of Notre Dame This unique volume gives the full measure of an extraordinary man in his own words. Here we meet Hesburgh the leader, educator, optimist, Americanist, social justice advocate, voice for moral ideals in politics, and, above all, priest. He was the priest who promoted lay leadership, the celibate who pushed for gender equity, the man who sought to be, in Todd Ream's words, 'Christ's mediating presence in the world.' Ream's judicious selection of Hesburgh's writings and incisive introductions to his work make this volume invaluable. --William T. Cavanaugh, Professor of political theology, author of The Myth of Religious Violence"

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Todd C. Ream is professor of higher education at Taylor University.

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