Carlyle "Connie" Ring, Jr. '53, P'87 has been named a Living Legend of Alexandria. Living Legends of Alexandria is an ongoing photo-documentary project to identify, honor and chronicle Alexandria's Living Legends. Selected individuals must have contributed at least one tangible improvement to the quality of the city's life that likely would be missing without that person's vision and energy or have demonstrated exemplary service to the city for 10 or more years.
Ring chaired the Alexandria Republican City Committee from 1961 to 1968. He served as a member of the Alexandria school board from 1969 until 1978, the last two years as chairman. (The film Remember the Titans focused on how winning the state football championship in 1971 overcame turbulent reactions to the unanimous decision of the school board, upon which Ring served, to integrate by consolidating three high schools into one.)
From 1979 until 1988, Ring served on Alexandria's city council. In 1970, he was invited to become a commissioner on Uniform State Laws and has served for 40 years; he believed the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act of 2000 (rules for internet contracting) is his greatest accomplishment; others say the Funds Transfer Article of the Uniform Commercial Code, establishing the rules for electronic transfers averaging $3 trillion daily is his most significant contribution.
Former Republican State Senator and City Councilman Bob Calhoun said, "Connie draws great strength from his moral beliefs. There is an enormous sense of integrity about him."
Former State Delegate and City Councilman David Speck agreed: "Never, ever did Connie Ring back down from what he believed to be right. Not just for the political expediency of an issue, but for what he believed to be important for our future."
Ring majored in history and public policy at Hamilton and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. He went on to earn his juris doctor degree from Duke University. He is currently vice chairman of the Alexandria Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
His wife Jane Lee Ring was named a Living Legend in 2009 for her work in the arts and music, particularly her support of the Symphony Orchestra.
