After an impressive career of community service and 30 years of leading the state’s only predominantly African-American university, Father Boniface Hardin is stepping down.
The founder of Martin University is entering his last month as president of his beloved institution and will leave office Dec. 31. Last week a reception was held for Hardin at the Eastside campus with all the trimmings — affectionate tributes by colleagues, memories from former students and numerous statements of gratitude and laughter.
Sadness could not be detected among those in attendance, however, because the priest, educator and civil rights activist is simply entering a new phase in his ministry — not disappearing from the scene.
“The word ‘retirement’ sounds so final,” Hardin told the Recorder Newspaper. “I like to just say ‘stepping aside,’ because I’ll be available to consult with the new president. I’ll keep my eyes open to see if he or she needs help with funding, contacts or whatever is needed.”
Hardin also pledges to continue having an active role in the community. A prostate cancer survivor, he is looking forward to having more time to work with organizations trying to stop the spread of the disease and other forms of cancer.
Children who have been hurt through hunger, abuse and other forms of mistreatment are close to Hardin’s heart and he will be active in groups working on their behalf.
Fetuses being aborted or thrown away, children dealing with sickness due to poor decisions by adults and teenagers fighting in wars are just a few of the related issues that concern him.
“It is my theological opinion that until we start treating these babies and children the way they should be treated there will be no peace on this Earth,” Hardin said. “We must unify this world and the first step is doing what’s best for children. Jesus said ‘Whatever you did unto one of the least of these you did unto me.’”
Hardin will also have a little more time to offer to hobbies such as poetry, study of foreign languages (he’s familiar with 17 of them), opera and theater (he is known for using his resemblance to abolitionist Frederick Douglass as an educational tool.)
“I don’t do anything wild like sky diving or salsa dancing,” he said, laughing.
He is in the process of writing three books, including an autobiography and works about public education and the Apostles.
Hardin’s journey of service began after he left a monastery and became an associate pastor at Holy Angels Catholic Church. He was active in the civil rights struggle of the 1960s and helped local companies implement some of the first diversity programs known in the city. During the 1970s he created the Martin Center to provide therapy for low-income minorities.
Ignoring the discouragement of skeptics Hardin established Martin University in 1977 with the mission of proving an affordable college education to low income and adult students. The university, which began with two students, today has 39 faculty members and hundreds of students studying under numerous degree programs.
Martin has become known for adopting an innovative teaching approach called andragogy, in which instructors try to build on what a student already knows and incorporate their life experiences into learning.
Overall, Hardin is satisfied that the university has achieved its goals, although be believes more emphasis should now be placed on the study of Eastern cultures, which he says are playing a stronger role in political and business partnerships with the United States.
“We need to understand the Eastern mentality and adopt a world mindset so that we can understand the people we want to associate with,” he said.
Respect for Hardin is plentiful among colleagues, friends and community leaders.
“I’ve worked with him for over 40 years and never found him to be lacking in anything,” said Sister Jane Schilling, founding vice president of academic affairs at Martin University. “He’s dedicated, brilliant, committed to education, fair and personable.”
Schilling, a nun who was active in civil rights activities in St. Louis, began working with Hardin after moving to Indianapolis and was hired when he established Martin Center. She will also be stepping down from her position next month.
