Come, Holy Spirit

ED HUMS, BBA ACCT ’75, Accountancy Professional Specialist:

As students, we felt pride in having Father Hesburgh as our University’s president. He was doing everything and doing so all around the world.

Father Ted was a people person. He cared for everyone, and people respected his opinions. Once, we were at a contentious Board of Trustees meeting about signing an NBC contract, and Father got up and spoke for about a minute. He expressed his approval, saying, “You know, I think this is a good idea. I might have done something like this when I was president.” The contention dissipated; it was decided.

ELIZABETH ANN KRIEG, MSA ’72

(Currently MNA):

My meeting with Father Ted took place at the University the summer of 1952 when he first took office. I was a high school student. My English class assignment was to interview a famous person. I wrote a letter to Father Ted and his secretary answered immediately, setting up a date. Father was so gracious. He answered my simple questions, and I felt so important. The secretary gave me an 8-by-10 picture. I received an “A” for my report.

Years later, I joined a religious community. I attended summer classes and graduated from Notre Dame in 1972 with MSA and MSIA degrees. A few years ago, I sent copies to Father of the letters I received many years ago. He answered and remembered when life was so simple that an interview was so accessible.

SCOTT MALPASS, MBA ’86, ’84,

Notre Dame Vice President and Chief Investment Officer:

Father Ted would often talk to me about the Notre Dame endowment and how important it was to our future. When he became president in 1952, the press asked him how he was going to improve Notre Dame’s ranking among the top universities in the land. He said that one thing was for sure: We had to build our endowment fund. If you looked at the top 20 universities at the time, they had the largest endowments. The Notre Dame endowment was only $9 million in 1952; it now approaches $10 billion. Father Ted inspired my team and me, and he was very proud of what we have accomplished and the opportunities it has provided for our students and faculty.

Father Ted was a tremendous leader and an even better person who could talk about the sacramental mission of Notre Dame in a way that resonated with people, even those outside of Notre Dame. He built tremendous relationships for the University from all aspects of society. Everyone loved Father Ted.

PATRICK MURPHY, BBA MARK ’70,

Professor of Marketing:

Although I was fortunate to have multiple interactions with Father Ted over the years, the highlight will always be the Mass he celebrated for my wife, Kate, and my 25th wedding anniversary in 2002. Only our three sons were in attendance at his office in the library. It was a memorable night and Father Ted had his administrative assistant, Melanie, open a bottle of wine so he could toast us. He was a great man and very special to our family.

ED ROG, EMBA ’86:

Back in the fall of 1984, the EMBA Class of 1986 began a two-year journey as grad students at Our Lady’s University. During our first week on campus, it was the custom to find a local establishment for dinner. Sunny Italy on Niles Avenue was chosen by my classmates one evening. At the next table, two gentlemen dressed in priest attire were having a discussion about their day. After they finished dinner, one of the good fathers stopped by our table and wished us the best as the newest Notre Dame students. He introduced his companion as Father Ned and himself as Father Ted. Departing he said, “Men, enjoy your dinner, we eat here often and the food is excellent.”

CHARLES D. PILON, MBA ’66

Past President NAU National Alumni Association
Past President University of Notre Dame Club of Phoenix Board of Directors Notre Dame Club of Phoenix:

Father Theodore M. Hesburgh is the greatest man that I have ever met in my life. Yet, he once reminded my wife, our young daughter and me that he was foremost a priest. My daughter saw him coming down the steps of the Dome and said, “Hi, Priest.“ I immediately corrected her and said, “This is Father Hesburgh. He is the president of Notre Dame.” Father Ted remarked, “She’s right. I am a priest.” He then proceeded to pick her up in his arms and ask her name, our names and where we were from. What a priest!

I am a better man, husband, father, grandfather, Catholic and American because Father Ted passed my way and I was able to know him and love him. God bless, Father Ted.

FRANK REILLY, Bernard J. Hank Professor of Finance, BS Commerce ’57:

I returned to Notre Dame as the dean of the business college in 1981, following a visit arranged by Lee Tavis. The visit included a ride for my wife, Therese, and me with Father Ted to a basketball game, during which he “pitched” the reasons I should return to Notre Dame. He was a fantastic salesman. During my time as dean, one of the great perks was the many opportunities to have lunch or dinner with Father Ted. (He never did breakfast.) Those meals always were memorable because of his detailed discussion of significant events in his life and the life of the University. Also, Therese and I were honored that he attended our St. Patrick’s Day gathering along with Father Edmund P. Joyce, CSC. One of Notre Dame’s greatest blessings from Our Lady on the Dome is that the two of them provided unbelievable leadership for 35 years. May they rest in peace.

MAUREEN RIECK, ’00 AND ADAM RIECK MBA ’07, ’99:

In 2007, on the occasion of Father Ted’s 90th birthday, the business school held a Mass and dinner. I feel very fortunate that Father Ted gave us and our daughter Erin a personal blessing while I was pregnant with her. It was in Latin and he said it was the same blessing he gave all the moms in the military village “Vetville” that was on campus during and after World War II. He claimed they had no miscarriages there and attributed this to the Latin blessing. An amazing man returns to God!