The late Notre Dame President Reverend Theodore Hesburgh is being remembered as a champion of human rights.
More than 9,000 students, colleagues and political leaders-including former president Jimmy Carter and former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice-gathered Wednesday to honor the man affectionately known as Father Ted.
Reverend Hesburgh held 16 presidential appointments during his life, including as a founding member of the Civil Rights Commission.
Former President Jimmy Carter recalled a time when he allowed Father Hesburgh to ride in one of the fastest military airplanes as a favor.
"I'm proud that I was able to do that for him because he did so much for people everywhere," Carter said. "The world will really miss this wonderful man."
Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said Hesburgh had a way of bridging differences and making people feel valued.
"Somehow his touch was so personal that even those who met him once or maybe never at all, knew him and love him just as he loved Notre Dame," Rice said.
Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly and Indiana Governor Mike Pence also spoke at the ceremony, calling Hesburgh a champion for the poor and a voice for the downtrodden.
Hesburgh died last Thursday at the age of 97. He was buried in a small cemetery on the South Bend campus.
WFIU reporters Gretchen Frazee and Barbara Harrington covered the event live. You can read their coverage below, and follow them on Twitter at @gretchenfrazee and @BabsofBtown.
Watch the memorial tribute below:
9:42 p.m. The ceremony has ended, concluding a week of tributes to Father Theodore Hesburgh.
9:11 p.m. Condoleezza Rice recalls Hesburgh's passion for global peace and to bridge differences between people across the world.
8:54 p.m. Gov. Mike Pence: "Hoosiers are proud and will always be proud that Father Ted called Indiana home."
8:47 p.m. President Obama sends video message to honor Hesburgh. Calls him a leader and thinker and a man who saw all were children of God.
8:31 p.m. Moving on now to Hesburgh's legacy on civil rights and other political issues.
7:45 p.m. More than 12,000 people paid their respects to Hesburgh at the Basilica over the past couple of days, current Notre Dame President the Rev. John Jenkins says.
6:45 p.m. Rev. Hesburgh was laid to rest at the Holy Cross Community Cemetery-just steps from the campus he spent decades improving.
5:50 p.m. Tribute to start at 7:30 p.m. Former President Jimmy Carter and former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice are expected to speak, among others.
3:57 p.m.
3:40 p.m. The funeral Mass has concluded.
2:35 p.m. When Nixon became president, all members of the civil rights commission handed in their resignation as is the custom when a new president takes office, allowing him to pick his own members without having to fire anyone. Only Rev. Hesburgh's resignation was accepted.
2:31 p.m. Rev. Jenkins mentions Father Ted's commitment to civil rights, even as he was a controversial figure.
2:28 p.m. Rev. Jenkins recalls Father Ted's move to allow women into the university, encourage the university's mission in research and continuing in its Catholic traditions.
2:26 p.m. Rev. Jenkins: "Fr. Ted always said the most important day of his life was when he was ordained a priest."
2:20 p.m. Service so far has consisted of several scripture readings and traditional songs.
2:05 p.m. Hesburgh funeral begins. Watch the video here: https://hesburgh.nd.edu/
1:55 p.m. Hesburgh's funeral service is about to begin. It being held in Notre Dame Basilica of the Sacred Heart. It is a private by invitation only.
Rev. John Jenkins will offer the homily.
10:00 a.m.
Former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice will speak Wednesday at a tribute service at 7:30 p.m.
The tribute will be held at the Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on Notre Dame's campus. Other guest speakers include Gov. Mike Pence, Sen. Joe Donnelly, who is a Notre Dame alumni, andCardinal Theodore McCarrick, the archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C.
