Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Ulrich, Ronald J.
Ronald J. Ulrich
- Induction:
- 2012
- Class:
- 1966
Ronald J. Ulrich graduated from Lehigh in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in engineering and business administration. At Lehigh he was active in sports including tennis and squash. He went on to earn an MBA in corporate finance from New York University's Graduate School of Business in 1971.
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In 1975, Ulrich co-founded Morgan Stanley Asset Management, and served as managing director of Morgan Stanley Group, Inc. After 15 years with Morgan Stanley, Ulrich founded Equinox Capital Management, LLC and served as chairman and chief investing officer. At the time of his induction, Ulrich was president and founder of Breithorn Capital, a private investment firm.
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Ulrich joined Lehigh University's Board of Trustees in 1993 and chaired the board from 1996-2002. During that time, Lehigh’s athletics programs experienced significant enhancement, particularly among women's sports and sports that had suffered in terms of visibility and quality of facilities. As chairman emeritus, Ulrich chaired the Shine Forever campaign, Lehigh's $500 million fundraising effort. He continues to serve on the board's executive and development committees.
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Through his generosity, Ulrich has set a leadership example for friends and alumni of Lehigh University, focusing his philanthropy on athletics, enhancements to Lehigh's campus, and the visual and performing arts. He regularly supports Zoellner Arts Center and has established two endowed chairs in the music department.
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On the athletics side, Ulrich has provided support for the Ulrich Sports Complex, which currently features a grass soccer field, Frank Banko '41 Field for lacrosse, and Ronald J. Ulrich ‘66 Field for field hockey. He also contributed to renovations in the Cundey Varsity House, the wrestling arena in lower Grace Hall, and the Caruso Wrestling Complex. He has also supported the position endowment for the head football coach, endowed a scholarship for a wrestling student-athlete and created an athletics endowment that provides annual funding to execute the athletics fundraising effort.
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Ulrich's giving and generosity has been transformational to the University, however it is his vision, courage and belief in Lehigh that the University aspires to model and instill in current Lehigh students. He has been at the forefront in sharing his beliefs in the value of athletics as a window into Lehigh University. He understands the significance of sports as both a recruiting tool and a visible manifestation of the excellence at Lehigh. Ulrich boldly embraced and exemplified the notion that alumni giving to athletics did not lead to a lack of support for the academic, cultural or even community priorities of the University, but instead could be a catalyst for support of such areas.
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In addition to his work as a Lehigh trustee and board member, Ulrich is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Wildlife Conservation Society and is involved in several leadership committees with the New York Philharmonic. He formerly served on the Board of Trustees for Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts in New York and the New Canaan Country Day School.
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Ulrich is also active in wildlife conservation activities in the Congo Basin, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Russian Far East - focusing on preservation of elephants, lowland gorillas, and the Siberian tiger.
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With his wife Christine, Ron has three children, Benner ‘98, Adrian ‘99 and Collier.
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In 1975, Ulrich co-founded Morgan Stanley Asset Management, and served as managing director of Morgan Stanley Group, Inc. After 15 years with Morgan Stanley, Ulrich founded Equinox Capital Management, LLC and served as chairman and chief investing officer. At the time of his induction, Ulrich was president and founder of Breithorn Capital, a private investment firm.
Â
Ulrich joined Lehigh University's Board of Trustees in 1993 and chaired the board from 1996-2002. During that time, Lehigh’s athletics programs experienced significant enhancement, particularly among women's sports and sports that had suffered in terms of visibility and quality of facilities. As chairman emeritus, Ulrich chaired the Shine Forever campaign, Lehigh's $500 million fundraising effort. He continues to serve on the board's executive and development committees.
Â
Through his generosity, Ulrich has set a leadership example for friends and alumni of Lehigh University, focusing his philanthropy on athletics, enhancements to Lehigh's campus, and the visual and performing arts. He regularly supports Zoellner Arts Center and has established two endowed chairs in the music department.
Â
On the athletics side, Ulrich has provided support for the Ulrich Sports Complex, which currently features a grass soccer field, Frank Banko '41 Field for lacrosse, and Ronald J. Ulrich ‘66 Field for field hockey. He also contributed to renovations in the Cundey Varsity House, the wrestling arena in lower Grace Hall, and the Caruso Wrestling Complex. He has also supported the position endowment for the head football coach, endowed a scholarship for a wrestling student-athlete and created an athletics endowment that provides annual funding to execute the athletics fundraising effort.
Â
Ulrich's giving and generosity has been transformational to the University, however it is his vision, courage and belief in Lehigh that the University aspires to model and instill in current Lehigh students. He has been at the forefront in sharing his beliefs in the value of athletics as a window into Lehigh University. He understands the significance of sports as both a recruiting tool and a visible manifestation of the excellence at Lehigh. Ulrich boldly embraced and exemplified the notion that alumni giving to athletics did not lead to a lack of support for the academic, cultural or even community priorities of the University, but instead could be a catalyst for support of such areas.
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In addition to his work as a Lehigh trustee and board member, Ulrich is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Wildlife Conservation Society and is involved in several leadership committees with the New York Philharmonic. He formerly served on the Board of Trustees for Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts in New York and the New Canaan Country Day School.
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Ulrich is also active in wildlife conservation activities in the Congo Basin, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Russian Far East - focusing on preservation of elephants, lowland gorillas, and the Siberian tiger.
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With his wife Christine, Ron has three children, Benner ‘98, Adrian ‘99 and Collier.
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