Rev. Boniface Hardin, O.S.B., died Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Rosewalk Village following complications from a stroke in 2011. He was 78.
He was born James Dwight Randolph Hardin on Nov. 18, 1933 in Bardstown, Ky. to Albert A. Hardin and Elizabeth Hansbro Hardin.
He received his elementary school education at St. Monica Parochial School in Bardstown and at St. Peter Claver Parochial School in Louisville. After prayerful consideration, he decided and received permission at age 13 to enter St. Meinrad Archabbey, in St. Meinrad, Ind. where he obtained a rigorous education in languages and theology.
In 1953, he became a Benedictine monk. On May 11, 1959, he became the first African-American from Louisville and only the second from Kentucky to be ordained a Roman Catholic priest. In 1960, he received a master of divinity degree from St. Meinrad.
In this capacity, he served the monastery as its assistant treasurer and in 1962, enrolled at University of Notre Dame School of Commerce for additional education. Sensing a further need to serve the people of God, he asked for a parish and was “loaned” by the Archabbey to serve as associate pastor at Holy Angels Parish in Indianapolis. There, he became a vocal advocate for civil rights during the nationally turbulent 1960s.
In 1969, he created the Martin Center which was named for Martin Luther King, Jr. and St. Martin de Porres. This organization taught languages and provided other community needs. In 1971, he co-founded the Indianapolis Sickle Cell Center.
In 1977, the Center expanded by creating Martin Center College to meet postsecondary education needs for non-traditional students in Indianapolis. By 1978, under his leadership and with the assistance of Sr. Jane Schilling, the Martin Center College became Martin University with full accreditation offering undergraduate and graduate degrees to low-income, minority adult learners in a healing and freedom-minded environment.
During his tenure as the university’s president, he received many honors for his work and leadership from diverse organizations including a “Living Legend” designation in 2002 by the Indiana Historical Society.
On Dec. 31, 2007, he retired as the first president of Martin University. In retirement, he retained a close relationship with both the university and faith communities of Indianapolis.
His personal interests included public advocacy of prostate screening for men and especially African-Americans, ongoing study of languages (he was fluent in 12) and his pet Siberian husky, Eternity.
Hardin was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Albert Arthur Hardin and Elizabeth Ann Hardin. He is survived by three brothers: William Augustus Hardin, Louisville; Albert Thomas (Gwen) Hardin, Louisville; and John Arthur (Maxine) Hardin, Bowling Green, Ky. and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
