The Ulring family, L-R: Mary Anne, Rich, Joey ’10, Emma ’17, and Anne Marie ’08.
Though they grew up 1,600 miles apart, Mary Anne and Rich Ulring’s Catholic upbringing inspired them to use their talents to serve others.
Mary Anne recognized her aptitude for teaching while attending the University of Oregon, and Rich found his voice for singing and public speaking as a sophomore at Shanley High School in Fargo, North Dakota. They have both used their gifts to serve others and first learned the importance of service and leadership in Catholic schools.
Mary Anne (Harrington) grew up in Portland’s Eastmoreland neighborhood, where she attended Holy Family Elementary School and was a member of the last graduating class of Holy Child Academy in 1973. In Fargo, Rich attended Holy Spirit Grade School and graduated from Shanley High in 1970.
Mary Anne and Rich met in Portland in 1986 on a blind date. Beyond their Catholic upbringings, they had another thing in common: They had both been educators. At the University of Oregon, Mary Anne realized that “teaching is something I can do and something that I want to do.” She went on to teach elementary school at All Saints, Durham School, and St. Pius X, focusing on providing special care to struggling students. After retiring, Mary Anne tutored at St. Andrew Nativity School and now helps out at Holy Family Grade School where their daughter, Anne Marie ‘08, teaches kindergarten.
After graduating from Gonzaga University, Rich returned to his alma mater in Fargo as a Christian Brothers Associate where he taught psychology, ran the student council, coached basketball, and led the boys' chorus. He later went back to Gonzaga to earn his graduate degree. While working as a resident adviser in the freshman dorm, he met some Jesuit High School alumni who encouraged him to apply for a teaching job at the school. Rich had visited Oregon many times with his college roommate, a Portland native, and welcomed the opportunity to return to the city.
Rich worked at Jesuit High School from 1976 to 1979. He held a variety of roles, including psychology and religion teacher, chorus director, student government advisor, cheerleading advisor, counselor, and member of the administrative team. He also coached football and basketball.
In 1979, Rich left education and started his own State Farm Insurance agency where he worked for 42 years. He served on Jesuit’s Board of Trustees from 2010 to 2016 and currently serves on Jesuit’s Development Committee. For 22 years, he has also served on the board of Blanchet House and was a key figure in fundraising for their new facility.
The Ulrings didn’t stray far from Jesuit, though, as volunteers and parents to alums Anne Marie ‘08, Joey ‘10, and Emma ‘17. For 44 years, Rich has been known as the “voice of Jesuit,” announcing football, basketball, and baseball games and cross-country and track meets. Rich’s dedication to Jesuit student-athletes earned him a spot in the Jesuit High School Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2023, Rich was also inducted into Shanley High School’s Hall of Fame in recognition of his service to Jesuit High School and Blanchet House.
The Ulrings further solidified their dedication to Catholic education in 2002 when they joined Jesuit High School’s Fr. Hayes, S.J. Legacy Club to help provide other families the same opportunities they and their children had.
“Through the eyes of a teacher, I could see the wonderful things Jesuit has done for my family,” says Mary Anne. “Rich and I want other families to have the opportunity for their children to have a faith-based education where they are empowered to make a difference in the world.”
If you are interested in joining Mary Anne and Rich as a member of the Fr. Hayes, S.J., Legacy Club or learning more, please contact Diane Salzman at 503-291-5497 or development@jesuitportland.org.