Former Notre Dame president dies at age 97

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Published: Friday, 27 February 2015 19:53

Donnelly, Walorski, Pence issue statements

INDIANAPOLIS – Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, the 15th president of the University of Notre Dame, passed away in South Bend on Thursday night at the age of 97.

Hesburgh holds the title of Indiana’s longest serving university president, having led Notre Dame for 35 years. Hesburgh guided the university from 1952 to 1987.

“Indiana has lost a man of unwavering faith, profound vision and monumental virture,” Gov. Mike Pence said in a statement. “Father Hesburgh’s accomplished life epitomized servant leadership and made a critical impact in advancing and bettering our world.”

Article writer Aubrey Helms is the broadcast coordinator for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

VIDEO: Donnelly Honors Father Hesburgh on Senate Floor

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly spoke Friday (Feb. 27) on the floor of the Senate to honor Father Theodore Hesburgh, President Emeritus of Notre Dame, who passed away late last night at age 97. Full remarks as delivered are available here and below.

Watch Donnelly’s full speech here

Full remarks as delivered:

Back in 1973, a young man caught a lucky break that changed his life. That young man was me, and it was my acceptance letter to the University of Notre Dame and it opened up the gates of opportunity for me. Last night, the beloved President Emeritus of Notre Dame, Father Ted Hesburgh, passed away at the age of 97. On his last day, Father Ted said Mass in the morning and passed away 12 hours later. He counseled Presidents and Popes, but he was first and foremost a priest – one who ministered to the homeless, the poor, and those in need. And that is when he was also happiest.

We were so lucky to have him touch our lives, and those of us in Indiana were fortunate enough to experience him as our friend and neighbor. Nobody who walked the streets of South Bend could forget Father Ted driving around in his little Ford Mustang, giving a wave to everybody he saw. Our country and the world is a better place because of Father Ted. He loved his God, his Country, and Notre Dame, and he ministered to anyone who asked him for help.

Father Hesburgh grew up near Syracuse, New York and he was ordained and became a priest in 1943. He promptly asked that his first assignment as a priest be as the Chaplain of a naval aircraft carrier. The leaders of the Holy Cross religious order were not surprised, they knew of Father Ted’s great patriotism, his love of the United States Navy, and devotion to our service members. However, they asked him to stay at Notre Dame and minister to the families and service members who were training at that time at Vetville at Notre Dame. As always, Father Ted smiled, took the assignment, and worked nonstop. That began a journey that included the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, 16 presidential appointments, and 150 honorary degrees. But, more important to Father Hesburgh than all of those awards were the millions of souls he nourished, said Mass with, prayed for, and guided to a wonderful life.

When you look at Father Ted’s amazing accomplishments at Notre Dame, you can’t help but see what a stronger academic institution and better and more inclusive place it has become and that he left behind. Father Ted broke down the barriers and admitted women to Notre Dame back in the early 1970’s. It changed the place forever and it made Notre Dame a home for everyone. My wife and daughter, both of whom graduated from the University, were direct benefits of his wisdom and his vision.

Father Hesburgh stood up to Presidents whenever necessary and stood together with Martin Luther King for civil rights. He ministered to those in poverty and to those in need every chance he could. Father Ted never gave a second thought about preaching truth to power – it helped to define who he was. We marked 50 years last July since he linked arms with Martin Luther King, Jr. in Soldier Field in Chicago, singing “We Shall Overcome” when others turned down the invitation to be there. Father Ted believed in doing what was right, not what was easy. I will travel to Selma for the 50th anniversary of the start of the marches there next week, and I will take Father Ted’s example with me on that journey.

He expected doing what is right and not what is easy or popular from his students, as well. He had a big heart and he wanted his students to do their best – but a lack of effort was never an acceptable way of doing business with Father Ted.

As a student, I remember seeing his light on in his little dorm room with his iron cot at midnight or 2 am, and every student there knew that meant Father Ted was “open for business”. Students would stop by and seek a comforting word if a parent had just passed away, or when worried about how am I ever going to be able to pay the next tuition bill, or when they looked at their grade point and said how am I ever going to be here for other reasons next semester, or if they had personal heartbreaks. Father Ted was there for all of us to talk with. He wanted every student to know they were loved and cared about and special – just like the cooks and the gardeners and the professors and the people of Notre Dame he went up to, shook hands with, smiled at, and gave encouragement to every day.

God bless you, Father Ted. I would never be here in the United States Senate without your kindness and example – and there are Domers, as Notre Dame students are known, all over the world who know that you helped give them the chance to open doors and to be given opportunities and to have a better life that never would have happened without you.

There is a saying on the door of the Sacred Heart Basilica at the University. It says “God, Country, Notre Dame”. Father Hesburgh lived that every day.

Walorski issues statement on passing of University of Notre Dame's Rev. Hesburgh

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) issued the following statement following the passing of University of Notre Dame President Emeritus Fr. Theodore Hesburgh:

“The news of Father Hesburgh's passing is a profound loss not only for our community, but also for the entire country. Today we mourn a great man, a beloved priest, and one of the most influential leaders in higher education.  I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and the entire Notre Dame community.”

Governor Pence statement regarding passing of Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Pence today issued the following statement upon learning of the passing of the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, who served as the 15th president of the University of Notre Dame from 1952 to 1987.

“Indiana has lost a man of unwavering faith, profound vision and monumental virtue in the passing of Father Theodore Hesburgh. An advocate for human and civil rights, education opportunity, and diplomacy both here and abroad, Father Hesburgh’s accomplished life epitomized servant leadership and made a critical impact in advancing and bettering our world. His legacy will endure always and, without doubt, will continue to inspire individuals across the world to pursue a life of peace and justice. The First Lady and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, the University of Notre Dame community, and all who knew and loved this exceptional Hoosier leader.”