The Reverand Theodore Martin “Ted” Hesburgh (1917–2015) was an American Roman Catholic priest and educator who served as president of the University of Notre Dame 1952–87.
Born in Syracuse, New York, Hesburgh was ordained a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1943. He taught religion and served as chaplain at Notre Dame, becoming head of the department of religion in 1948, executive vice president of the university in 1949, and president in 1952. Under his leadership, Notre Dame became one of the top universities in the United States, gaining a reputation for its academic record as well as its athletic standing.
Hesburgh achieved nationwide celebrity through his public service work. He served on numerous American civic and governmental initiatives, including the Civil Rights Commission, the National Science Foundation, the American Council on Education, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the United Negro College Fund. He was also active in the anti-Vietnam War movement and directed efforts to improve the conditions of illegal aliens.
Hesburgh received more than 150 honorary degrees. His publications include Thoughts for Our Times (1962,) The Humane Imperative (1974,) The Hesburgh Papers: Higher Values in Higher Education (1979,) and the autobiography God, Country, Notre Dame (1990.)
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My basic principle is that you don’t make decisions because they are easy; you don’t make them because they are cheap; you don’t make them because they’re popular; you make them because they’re right.
—Theodore Hesburgh
It is easier to exemplify values than teach them.
—Theodore Hesburgh
Topics: Example
All of us are experts at practicing virtue at a distance.
—Theodore Hesburgh
Topics: Virtue, Hypocrisy
Voting is a civic sacrament.
—Theodore Hesburgh
Topics: Voting
The very essence of leadership is [that] you have a vision. It’s got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.
—Theodore Hesburgh
Topics: Vision, Leaders, Leadership
The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
—Theodore Hesburgh
Topics: Family, Father, One liners, Fathers
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