Theodore Hesburgh left Syracuse, NY in 1934 for the seminary at Notre Dame. Before he could earn a degree from Notre Dame, Hesburgh and several others were sent to Gregorian University in Rome. In 1939, he received a bachelor of philosophy degree. Hesburgh would return to Notre Dame and ordained a priest in 1943. The one thing Hesburgh never received from Notre Dame was a degree.

Fast forward to the 1984 commencement ceremony. The speaker that day was Loret Miller Ruppe, the director of the Peace Corps. Father Hesburgh was very influential aiding in the start up of the Peace Corps, particularly at Notre Dame. During the ceremony, Father Hesburgh received an honorary degree of law from the University of Notre Dame.