Come, Holy Spirit

BECKY SAYDAK, MNA ’04, ’95:

I had the privilege of meeting Father Ted several times. He said Mass in my dorm at 1 a.m. And he gave a talk to my MNA class and stayed afterward for a photo. But my most memorable experience was during my senior year when I dropped by his office to ask him to sign God, Country, Notre Dame. He greeted me kindly and signed my book. He then looked at his watch and said I was just in time. In time for what, I wondered? He was about to start Mass in his office chapel and said I would do the first reading. It was just Father Ted, his assistant and me. He gave a beautiful homily. It was a memory I will never forget.

ANGELA SIENKO, Marketing Communications Assistant Director:

I’d been blessed with the opportunity to speak with Father Ted often during my time here. But none compared to the day that I showed up at his office, unannounced, in March 2010 to ask him to bless a St. Peregrine medal I got for my mother, who had just been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. He came out of his office, which was unusual, and blessed the medal as I held it in I my hands, sobbing uncontrollably. He then put his hands on my shoulders, looked me in the eye and said, “Do not fear what is to come. Everything will be OK. You have my word. Now wipe your tears.” His longtime assistant Melanie, also in tears, handed me tissues. Before I left, he reiterated, “You will be OK.” My mother died three months later. I didn’t think I’d survive the loss, but somehow I did. I inherited my mother’s strength. And I am OK.

I still have that medal. It’s on a bracelet that I wear every day.

AMANDA L. STEEDLEY, MSA ’00:

While I was only at Notre Dame for one year for graduate school, I had the good fortune to be seated next to Father Ted on a flight out of South Bend during the holidays. I did not recognize him, but realized he was a special man even before he introduced himself because there was such a rare peace and kindness about him. I have always treasured our brief time together on that flight and will always remember his kind words and spirit.

LEE TAVIS, BS COMMERCE ’53,

Professor Emeritus:

Shortly after I arrived as a professor in 1976, Father Hesburgh suggested I find a way to get multinational firms more commit- ted to development in their Third World operating locations. As many of us know, a “suggestion” from Father Hesburgh was more than a suggestion.

Father Don McNeill, CSC, and I organized a two-day work- shop for 50 people. Twenty-five were multinational executives; the other 25 were ND faculty, missionaries and activists from as

far left as we thought we could go. Father Hesburgh opened the workshop with this message: “A university is a place to disagree without being disagreeable.” Still, the group stormed with some shouting. A few days later, the president of one of the participating firms (and a major ND donor) withdrew from participation, indicating he would no longer subject his executives to this kind of criticism. Father Hesburgh didn’t flinch.

We continued the program with 16 workshops supported by eight field research projects across the world. Father Hesburgh opened each workshop with his message: “A university is a place to disagree without being disagreeable.”

BRIAN WIRPSA, EMBA ’01:

In spring 2001, Father Hesburgh came to speak to the Executive MBA class, as he did each year. I was an EMBA student at the time and my daughter, Erin Wirpsa Eisenberg ’03, was an undergraduate student working for the Mendoza College. Together, we listened to Father Hesburgh talk about his experiences as a person of faith, a leader of the University and an advocate for social change, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement. He was such an inspiring man and it was so special to be able to share that experience with my daughter.

JIM WITTENBACH, Professor of Accountancy:

Father Hesburgh was the face of Notre Dame. Whenever you saw a picture of Father Hesburgh, you saw an image of Notre Dame. Thank you, Father Hesburgh, for walking hand in hand with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. That walk reflects what Notre Dame is all about — doing what’s right. A job well done, and now, Father Ted, may you rest in peace.

WALT ZUKOWSKI, MBA/JD ’80:

In the spring 1980, a number of married students in the MBA program decided that we would like to honor our spouses for the sacrifices they had made during our time at Notre Dame. One night, while walking from Hayes-Healy to the University Village, I noticed the light on in Father Ted’s office. I walked in (unannounced and uninvited). He stopped his work, put his pen down and listened to my proposal. He was empathetic, supportive
and accessible. He agreed to sign the diploma-like certificate. He also arranged for use of a University watermark and official seal. With his support, we also easily obtained the signatures of the deans. My wife still cherishes the certificate nearly 35 years later. Father Ted lived the Gospel. He was supportive, accessible and action-oriented. He was a wonderful example for many generations of students. May he rest in peace.

REV. OLIVER WILLIAMS, CSC,’69, ’61, Associate Management Professor:

In my early years at Notre Dame, Father Ted was a wonderful mentor and he always remained a good friend. Whether it was at the Corby Hall dinner table (where the priests have their meals) or over a drink at the Morris Inn, I learned much. Although his world was much larger than Notre Dame, whether it was championing civil rights or some other endeavor for world peace, Ted never lost focus on the mission of the University. He continually reminded me that the unique mission of our business school was to stress the normative issues: what is right or wrong behavior in business and why. He was convinced that business was the most powerful institution in society, and that we must engage the business community in the crucial issues of our time, poverty and world peace. I, and undoubtedly many others, am a much better person for having known Ted Hesburgh.