For Notre Dame: Battling for the Heart and Soul of a Catholic University

by Wilson D. Miscamble C.S.C., David Solomon (Introduction)

Overview

For Notre Dame gathers together the important contributions of a devoted Holy Cross priest to the continuing debate over the mission and identity of the University of Notre Dame. Read together, these essays and addresses by one of the most consistent and committed participants in this ongoing discussion serve to cast vital light on many of the major issues that Notre Dame has confronted in the past two decades. Fr. Bill Miscamble's spirited essays in For Notre Dame cover a range of topics and reflect his multiple roles at Notre Dame, where he has taught for a quarter century. An award-winning scholar and a noted teacher, Miscamble writes thoughtfully of the place of teaching and research in Catholic universities. Crucially, he also is unafraid to explore more contentious subjects, like the composition of the faculty and the responsibilities of faculty members who serve in a Catholic university like Notre Dame. Nor has he backed away from the controversies that have beset Notre Dame in recent years. In this volume, a reader can learn how he courageously addressed such matters as academic freedom and The Vagina Monologues and, of course, how he protested the Notre Dame decision to honor President Barack Obama at its 2009 Commencement. Throughout this engaging volume, Miscamble's distinctive voice rings clear. His passion for Notre Dame's Catholic mission is evident on every page. Also evident is his deep concern for the moral and spiritual well-being of Notre Dame's students and his deep commitment to the priesthood and to the Congregation of Holy Cross.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781587312656
Publisher:	St. Augustine's Press
Publication date:	06/15/2013
Edition description:	1
Pages:	254
Sales rank:	706,318
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Rev. Wilson D. (Bill) Miscamble, c.s.c. joined the permanent faculty in the History Department at Notre Dame in 1988. He chaired the History Department from 1993 to 1998. He also served as Rector and Superior of Moreau Seminary (2000-2004), the principal formation site for the Congregation of Holy Cross in North America.  Fr. Miscamble’s primary research interests are American foreign policy since World War II and the role of Catholics in twentieth-century U.S. foreign relations, and is the author of several works in American history.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Foreword David Solomon xiii

Introduction: Beyond Country and Career to a Calling at Notre Dame 1

Part I The 1990s: Initial Positions and Arguments

Section I Matters Academic 21

1 Constracting a Great Catholic University: Some Specific Proposals [The "Miscamble Memo"] (1993) 21

2 Meeting the Challenge and Fulfilling the Promise: Mission and Method in Constructing a Great Catholic University (1994) 28

3 The Heart of the Matter: The Role of Faculty-Catholics and Non-Catholics -in the Catholic University (1996) 44

Section II Matters Pastoral 58

1 Senior Class Fellow Address (1992) 58

2 Charge to the Graduating Seniors on Last Visit to the Grotto (1995) 60

Part II The Past Decade: Engaging the Issues and Taking Stands

Section I Teaching, Learning, and Research 65

1 Teaching, Learning, and What Really Matters: Reflections on Receiving the Rev. Charles E. Sheedy, c.s.c, Award for Outstanding Teaching in the College of Arts and Letters (2001) 65

2 John Zahm's Challenge to the Modern Catholic University (2003) 71

3 Comment on "Notre Dame's Vision for Undergraduate Education" (2008) 82

4 Discerning One's Call in the Contemporary University: One Priest's Rambling Reflections on Happiness, Mission, and Meaning (2011) 83

Section II The Faculty Issue-Again 94

1 The Faculty "Problem": How Can Catholic Identity Be Preserved? (2007) 94

2 Are There Any (Really Good) Catholic Scholars Out There?: Further Thoughts on the Faculty "Problem" (2007) 100

Section III Notre Dame: Corporation or Community? 107

1 The Corporate University: A Catholic Response (2006) 107

Section TV Controversies 116

A The Vagina Monologues 116

1 Open Letter on The Vagina Monologues Controversy to Fr. Jenkins (2006) 116

2 Presentation on Father Jenkins' "Closing Statement on Academic Freedom and Catholic Character" (2006) 121

B The Obama Commencement 127

1 Open Letter by Holy Cross Priests on Obama Invitation (2009) 127

2 Honoring Obama, Notre Dame, and American Catholic Life (2009) 129

C The Appointment of Roxanne Martino, Pro-life Efforts, and the Future of Notre Dame 136

1 Life Matters, the Roxarme Martino Case, and the Catholic Character of Notre Dame (2011) 136

2 Saving Notre Dame's Soul (2011) 146

3 Mr. Notebaert, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and the Future of Notre Dame (2011) 153

D Bishop Jenky, Civility, and Conviction 159

1 Defending Bishop Jenky (2012) 159

2 Civility, Courage, and Conviction at Notre Dame (2012) 161

Section V Counsel for Students 167

1 Fear and the Christian Life (2004) 167

2 Some Advice for Future Catholic Politicians (2011) 177

3 Keep the Faith, Make a Difference (2011) 181

Section VI Priesthood and Holy Cross 184

1 Crisis in the Priesthood: Some Ways Forward (2002) 184

2 Configured to Christ (2007) 191

3 Fr. Moreau and Fr. Sorin (2008) 197

4 Holy Cross Heroes in the Pro-Life Movement (2010) 200

Section VII Tributes 204

1 A Man of Faith: Ralph McInerny (2010) 204

2 Sixty Years at Notre Dame: Vincent De Santis as Scholar, Teacher, and Friend (2010) 207

3 Rev. Marvin R. O'Connell: Sorin's Biographer and Master Historian (2011) 210

4 Building an Intellectual Community: David Solomon and the Center for Ethics and Culture Fall Conference (2011) 215

Conclusion: The Courage to Be Catholic and the Future for Notre Dame 220

Addendum: Editorial Note & Listing of Contents Citations 225

Index 227