Father Jim was inducted into the Viking Hall of Fame on October 27, 1989.

So much has taken place since Father Jim’s graduation from St. Joe’s in 1961.  In fact, he has accomplished a great deal since induction into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

At St. Joe’s, Jim was a class officer for four years, a member of the student council, an active participant in intramural sports, a writer for the Norseman, and active in Sodality and the National Honor Society.

We knew him as Jim, but he became Brother Jim Heft by 1962.  He completed his degree at the University of Dayton (English and philosophy) and became a Marianist Teaching Brother as he prepared himself for the priesthood in the Society of Mary.

His career in the life of academics skyrocketed because of his love of teaching and his desire to improve education.  Instructor, Professor, Head of the Department of Religious Studies (outstanding UD teacher in the College of Arts and Sciences, 1983), writing and publishing in the field of education—all culminated in the presentation to Father Jim of the prestigious Theodore Hesburgh Award in 2011 for his life-long contributions to Catholic higher education in the United States..

He is the author of numerous articles, editor of eight books and author of three books, the latest, Catholic High Schools: Facing the New Realities (Oxford University Press), published this year.

Father Jim’s dedication to education and to down-to-earth communication skills among seekers of truth has been the bulwark of his life as a member of the Society of Mary.
Posted By: Dave Pfriem - 04-27-2011
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