To The Editor:

As a great-nephew of Fr. Claude Heithaus, I was delighted to see The University News’ recent?articles reflecting?on?Fr. Heithaus’s?efforts to desegregate Saint Louis University in the mid-1940s.

Often remembered for his contributions?as being the driving force behind the early desegregation of Saint Louis University, Fr. Heithaus brought much more to this University.? Fr. Heithaus was a World War I veteran and a World War II military chaplain; he was founder of The University News in 1921 and a graduate of both SLU and Oxford; he was a leading scholar and professor of archaeology at SLU and spent many years in Greece and Turkey researching ancient ruins; he helped found?the Museum of the Western Jesuit Missions in Florissant, which now occupies the upper floors of SLUMA; but most importantly, Fr. Heithaus was a friend to those who many in his own religion shunned.

Fr. Heithaus believed that all men and women are created in God’s image. He took a stand for this belief, and although not receiving the pain of physical death, Fr. Heithaus was banished from the life and family he?had in St. Louis.? Truly following Christ in everything he did, Fr. Heithaus paid the price for refusing to back down from his support for one of God’s most important messages.

Fr. Heithaus truly is?one of the great figures in the history of SLU. Yet?despite his hardwork and many achievements, Fr. Heithaus is one?of the most often overlooked giants of?Catholic and Jesuit ideals?at this University. I echo the sentiments of my former professor, Dr. Shore, in questioning why Fr. Heithaus has no?buildings,?no scholarships, no statues, nor anything else honoring his name.?One would think?

that a?man who did so much in pushing SLU to be a Catholic university in every sense of the word would be celebrated throughout the University. Instead, Fr. Heithaus has become a mere footnote in?our history.

SLU owes a lot to the achievements of Fr. Heithaus.?His legacy should be one of great pride for this University, and it is time that SLU celebrate and honor Fr. Heithaus’s accomplishments.? I would again like to thank the The University News for honoring his life and reminding us all of the great struggles that this one man had to suffer in order to help bring about the University and?the country that we love and celebrate today.

?

Michael Heithaus

1L Law Student