1917 - 2015
Theodore Hesburgh was an American priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross and an influential educator, best known for his 35-year presidency at the University of Notre Dame from 1952 to 1987. He was a key figure in American higher education, championing civil rights and academic freedom, and he served on several national commissions, including the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Hesburgh was widely regarded for his commitment to social justice and his contributions to the dialogue between faith and reason.