Father Jenkins to participate in Hesburgh–King statue unveiling | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Father Jenkins to participate in Hesburgh–King statue unveiling Father Jenkins to participate in Hesburgh–King statue unveiling Published: June 20, 2017 Author: Sue Ryan University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., will join City of South Bend leaders, including Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and community members Wednesday (June 21) for the unveiling and dedication of a sculpture depicting former University President Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., with Martin Luther King Jr. The sculpture is based on a famous photo showing Father Hesburgh holding hands with King during a civil rights rally in Chicago in 1964. The photograph now hangs in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery. Recognized as a civil rights champion, Hesburgh served as president of Notre Dame from 1952 to 1987, and was a principal architect of the Civil Rights Act. He served on the Civil Rights Commission from its inception in 1957 until 1972. That same year Father Hesburgh was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, for his visionary work against elements of apartheid in America. The South Bend sculpture, funded by private donations, was designed by Granger-based artist Tuck Langland. The unveiling ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. in Leighton Plaza, South Bend. The community is also invited to participate in a march at 10 a.m. from the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1522 Linden Ave., to the unveiling ceremony at Leighton Plaza. Posted In: Faith Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 03, 2022 dCEC to Award 2023 ND Evangelium Vitae Medal to Robert P. George September 22, 2022 In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross September 15, 2022 In new book on global Catholicism, Provost John McGreevy explores modern history, current challenges of the Church September 15, 2022 Death penalty abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean to speak at Notre Dame September 14, 2022 Apostolic nuncio to Great Britain to deliver the 2022 Keeley Vatican Lecture For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn