New history of Notre Dame charts academic growth, consistency in mission | 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 › New history of Notre Dame charts academic growth, consistency in mission New history of Notre Dame charts academic growth, consistency in mission Published: August 11, 2020 Author: Amanda Skofstad In new research, Rev. Thomas Blantz, C.S.C., Notre Dame professor emeritus of history, presents the story of America’s premier Catholic university from its inception as a French-founded boys’ school in 1842 to its status as an acclaimed undergraduate and international research institution of the 21st century. Rev. Thomas Blantz, C.S.C. Just released by Notre Dame Press, “The University of Notre Dame: A History,” traces the University’s path of progress — challenged at times by wars, fires, financial shortfalls and even flu and cholera pandemics — through detailed treatments of Notre Dame’s defining leaders and moments. Among those leaders are Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., Notre Dame’s 28-year-old visionary founder; Rev. William Corby, C.S.C., Notre Dame president who gave absolution to soldiers at the Battle of Gettysburg; Knute Rockne, chemistry teacher and legendary football coach who elevated the Fighting Irish to national prominence; Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., 35-year president and intrepid advocate for racial justice, human rights and international peace; and the 325 women who enrolled in 1972, creating Notre Dame’s first undergraduate coed class.  Father Blantz taught a research seminar on the history of Notre Dame for 10 years and said he benefited greatly from original research students conducted, offering views that challenged his own and pointing him to new sources for further exploration. Reflecting on what surprised him most about this research, Father Blantz said he had not fully considered how difficult founding a school must have been in the mid-19th century. “One historian has noted that there were approximately 250 colleges in the United States in 1860, but probably another 700 had been founded but died, and in the 16 years between 1850 and 1866, 55 Catholic colleges were founded, but by 1866, 25 of those had been abandoned,” he said. “And yet those early priests, brothers and sisters were able to make a success of Notre Dame.” Father Blantz also emphasized that while Rev. John O'Hara, C.S.C., (later elevated to Cardinal by Pope John XXII) is remembered for his role as Prefect of Religion, he may be less known for his significant contributions to the academic development of Notre Dame as president. In particular, Cardinal O’Hara built up the graduate program and recruited several internationally known emigre scholars fleeing Nazi Germany. What at Notre Dame has changed in 178 years, and what has remained the same?  “Under the leadership of Father Hesburgh after World War II, Notre Dame became a true university with a strong graduate program and respected scholarly research that now enjoys international recognition,” Father Blantz said. “What has remained the same or constant in Notre Dame’s history, I think, has been its striving to retain its Catholic character and mission in a predominantly secular culture, and also its concern for the moral, spiritual and religious growth of its students, exemplified by the presence of priests, religious, and dedicated laymen and women living in the student residence halls.” Posted In: Faith Faculty and Staff Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related May 25, 2022 Of faith and reason: Reflecting on Sister Kathleen Cannon’s 32 years at Notre Dame January 13, 2022 Supreme Court must determine religious voices deserve a place in the public square, experts say September 30, 2021 Pope Francis appoints Notre Dame theologian to International Theological Commission August 09, 2021 Pope Francis appoints 2 Notre Dame theologians as consultors for the Congregation for the Eastern Churches April 09, 2021 Notre Dame helps Catholic Church with underutilized real estate 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