George Michael Ring, a Seton Hall graduate and former member of the board of regents, passed away on Friday, June 7.
Ring earned his B.S. in finance from Seton Hall University in 1965 and later his M.B.A. in 1971. As a student, he was a member of the Finance Association, the Booster Club, the Scholarship Club, the Gaelic Society and the Pershing Rifles. He was also a member of Tau Kappa Epislon and Beta Gamma Sigma, according to an obituary by the Asbury Park Press.
The Asbury Park Press said as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, Ring donated a great deal of his time to serving the university. He served on its Board of Regents from 1984 to 2002 and on the Board of Trustees from 1997 through 2001.
Bryan Felt, an Associate Athletic Director at Seton Hall, said the university loses one of its most distinguished and respected graduates with the passing of George Ring.
"George was a good friend to Seton Hall Athletics and the Pirate Blue Athletic Fund," Felt said. "You would always find him and his son at men's basketball games cheering for the Pirates and he was truly generous to all of our athletic teams."
Ring was honored as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 1987 for his dedication to Seton Hall. His commitment to its academic advancement was seen in all his contributions and gifts of generosity, according to Felt.
"Whether it was his wise counsel as a member of the University's Board of Regents, or his loyalty to so many areas of the University, George loved Seton Hall dearly and was extremely influential in helping the University become the great institution of higher learning that it is today," Felt said.
A native of Union, N.J. and the fourth of four children, Ring lived a life dedicated to service and family, from serving as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army to acting as a coach for his children's sports teams, according to the Asbury Park Press.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Air Medal with V first oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star with V first oak leaf cluster, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, for his work during the Vietnam War, according to the Asbury Park Press.
The article said he would steer a career as a successful company owner, building what has become one of the largest wireless cable technology systems in the country.
Ring is survived by his wife, Dee; their son, Justin; their daughter, Francesca O'Grad; and her husband, Mike. Ring also leaves behind his brother, Michael and his wife Mary; his sister, Mary Jane White and her husband Tom; and his extended family and friends, according to the Asbury Park Press.
His name titles the George M. Ring Building located on 457 Centre Street which houses Seton Hall's division of University Advancement, an honor established by President A. Gabriel Esteban on behalf of the university.
Natalie Rebisz can be reached at natalie.rebisz@student.shu.edu.
