Hesburgh of Notre Dame

This volume is the first comprehensive assessment of the life and legacy of Father Theodore Hesburgh (1917–2015), an educator, priest, public servant, and long-serving President of the University of Notre Dame. Despite being a transformative figure in Catholic higher education who led the University of Notre Dame for 35 years and wielded influence with US presidents on civil rights and other charged issues of his era, secular accounts of history often neglect to assess the efforts of religious figures such as Hesburgh. In this volume, the editors and their authors turn a fair-minded but critical eye to the priest's record to evaluate where he fits into the long development of Catholic higher education and Catholics' role in American public life. 

“Hesburgh of Norte Dame is an excellent collective biography of sorts, assessing the range and the texture of Fr. Hesburgh’s engagement as both a university president and dedicated public servant.  As this volume suggests, this remarkable priest and educator had a great impact on the church by helping American Catholics imagine how their faith could engage the pressing problems of the day, at the same time that he helped translate the values of Catholic social teaching for the political and cultural establishment into the language of justice, service, and Christian hope.  One is once again struck by the theological and spiritual inspiration of Fr. Hesburgh’s vision, whether it be in fostering a theology of the laity, working for the cause of civil and human rights, or in re-centering the mission of Catholic higher education to be an agent for the common good.  This assessment becomes clear in the many nuanced appraisals of this American Catholic priest.” (MarkBosco, SJ, Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Georgetown University, USA)

“Father Hesburgh was a transformative figure who modernized Notre Dame into a premier research and academic institution and who led our nation to address critical moral issues from civil rights and labor rights to poverty and injustice.  This book ably examines Hesburgh’s significant achievements, not only for Notre Dame, but as a national leader and a global figure, as a champion for justice, for human rights, and for service to others.” (Chris Coons, United States Senator (Delaware))

“At a time in which Catholic intellectual tradition struggles to find a new role in its relations with the university, the Church, and politics in the USA, this book on Fr. Hesburgh provides critical insights on a key figure in the history of Catholicism. It’s not just about the legacy of Fr. Hesburgh, but also about the future of American Catholicism.” (Massimo Faggioli, Professor of Historical Theology, Villanova University, USA)

“Collectively, the essays of Hesburgh of Notre Dame describe a broadly effectual leader engaged not only in the national and global issues of his time, but those to come, doing so in direct conversation and collaboration with the highest echelons of political and ecclesial power across a span of decades. On their own, they each reveal especial underpinnings that educated, inspired, discouraged, and urged the priest-president he became, and the socio-cultural, educational, and ethical issues he faced, if not formed. Standing within the dynamism of the day, and yet always on the cusp of evolving matters, the Hesburgh in these portrayals is consistent and compelling.” (Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, President, Creighton University, USA)

“A logical addition to the editors’ list of potential readers are Catholic college and university presidents – those currently serving as well as aspiring to the presidency. Fr. Ted completed his remarkable tenure at Notre Dame a full decade before I began my first presidency; still, in many surprising ways, this diverse array of essays offers contemporary leaders compelling glimpses into how, why, and toward what end Hesburgh successfully integrated his Holy Cross priesthood; his vocational call to university leadership; and his principled and powerful voice as a force for good in the world. A fruitful and engaging read!” (Andrea Lee, IHM, President Emeritus, Alverno College, USA)

“Todd Ream and Michael James provide a fresh look at the audacious and spirited leadership of one of the most influential university presidents in our nation’s history.  As the first lay woman to lead an American Jesuit, Catholic college, I attribute my unparalleled opportunity to serve as a college president to the prophetic work of fellow native Syracusan Fr. Ted Hesburgh.  All of us in higher education should read this powerful narrative to gaindeeper appreciation for what exemplary servant-leadership looks like.” (Linda M. LeMura, President, LeMoyne College, USA)

“A stimulating and revealing set of essays on one of the most important Catholic figures of the American twentieth century. The coverage from theology to public affairs to athletics mirrors Fr. Hesburgh's own remarkably wide-ranging interests.” (John T. McGreevy, Provost and Professor of History, University of Notre Dame, USA)

“Theodore Hesburgh fused the leadership roles of priest and president in making an indelible mark on American higher education starting in the second half of the twentieth century.  This volume of essays edited by Professors Todd C. Ream and Michael James, bring together in a coherent and compelling anthology the perspectives of leading scholars who know, study and work in our colleges and universities.  Their commentaries and critical analyses of Hesburgh’s contributions not only to Notre Dame but also in an array of public forums such as foreign relations and international affairs suggest why Hesburgh can justifiably be remembered as American higher education’s “Man for All Seasons.”  Hesburgh’s formal titles, awards and appointments alone do not fully capture his legacy.  Rather, as the cumulative essays show in fluid prose and detail, it is his sustained wisdom and courage as a leader that sets him apart from many presidents and public intellectuals in the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries.” (John R. Thelin, University Research Professor, University of Kentucky, USA) 

Todd C. Ream serves on the higher education and honors guild faculties at Taylor University, USA, as the Senior Fellow for Programming for the Lumen Research Institute, as the Senior Fellow for Public Engagement for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and as the Publisher for Christian Scholar’s Review.  Previously, he served on college and university campuses in residence life, student support services, honors programs, and as a chief student development officer.   

Michael J. James serves on the higher education faculty and as the Director of the Institute for Administrators in Catholic Higher Education at Boston College, USA.  Previously, he served as Vice President of the Association of Catholic Colleges & Universities, Co-Director of the Principles of Good Practice for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities, and on the planning committee for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops Annual Catholic Social Ministry.