ORLANDO, FL — The U.S. Postal Service issued a new Forever stamp on September 1, honoring Father Theodore M. Hesburgh during a dedication ceremony on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, where he served as president for 35 years.
The stamp art features an oil-on-panel painting of Father Hesburgh standing on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. The portrait is based on a 1980 photograph taken by Notre Dame staff photographer Bruce Harlan. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with original art by Tim O’Brien.
Customers may purchase the Father Theodore Hesburgh Forever stamp at usps.com/stamps, at the Postal Storeusps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Office locations nationwide. A variety of stamps and collectibles also is available at ebay.com/stamps.
Background
Ordained into the priesthood of the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1943, Father Hesburgh was appointed to the faculty at Notre Dame in 1945. He became Notre Dame’s 15th president in 1952, a position he held for 35 years, the longest presidential term in the university’s history.
Father Hesburgh spearheaded successful efforts to strengthen the faculty and administration, improve academic standards and increase the university’s endowment.
Appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 1957, Father Hesburgh helped to compile reports on racial discrimination and the denial of voting rights that resulted in the Omnibus Civil Rights Act of 1964. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom the same year, and he later founded the Center for Civil and Human Rights at Notre Dame.
A champion of causes ranging from education to immigration reform to the plight of underdeveloped nations, Father Hesburgh worked with a number of organizations that reflected his beliefs, including the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching , the National Science Board, the Overseas Development Council and the Select Committee on Immigration and Refugee Policy.
In 1987, Father Hesburgh stepped down as Notre Dame’s president, devoting his time in retirement to supporting university initiatives, in particular the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, and serving on various boards and presidential commissions.
Father Hesburgh was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2000, one of many awards and honors received during his lifetime.
Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view video of the first-day-of-issue ceremony at facebook.com/USPS. The public is asked to share the news on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #FatherHesburgh.
###
Many of this year’s other stamps may be viewed on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps or via Twitter @USPSstamps.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
# # #
Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm.
For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf. Follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/usps), Instagram (instagram.com/uspostalservice), Pinterest (pinterest.com/uspsstamps), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/usps), subscribe to our channel on YouTube (youtube.com/usps), like us on Facebook (facebook.com/usps) and view our Postal Postsblog (uspsblog.com).
For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.
