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Deep Dive: Hesburgh (2019)

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Hesburgh
Hesburgh is a documentary about Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, who served as President of the University of Notre Dame from 1952 to 1987. The film includes archival footage and interviews with family, colleagues, politicians, and historians, providing a comprehensive look at his life and work, especially his involvement with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Maurice LaMarche narrates the film using Hesburgh's own writings and recordings. The documentary covers Hesburgh's early life, his calling to the priesthood, and his significant contributions to Notre Dame, transforming it into a prestigious academic institution. It also shows his role in international diplomacy during the Cold War, where he built relationships with delegates from both the U.S. and the Soviet Union to help defuse tensions related to nuclear arms. The film addresses his commitment to freedom of expression, detailing instances where he resisted censorship from the Catholic Church leadership.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Fr. Theodore Hesburgh, a key figure in civil rights.
  • •See how Notre Dame transformed under Hesburgh's leadership.
  • •Find out about Hesburgh's role in Cold War diplomacy.

Did You Know

•Fr. Theodore Hesburgh was appointed president of Notre Dame at age 35 in 1952.
•Hesburgh served on the National Science Board starting in 1954.
•He was a Vatican representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
•Hesburgh led the International Federation of Catholic Universities in 1967.

Perfect For

Civil rights historyUniversity leadershipCold War diplomacy