For four decades, Lisa Kremer Ullmann ’81 has walked backwards, forwards, and every which way in service to Cornell University.
As an undergraduate from Memphis, Tennessee, she was admitted as a Cornell National Scholar—now the Meinig Family National Scholars Program. Lisa was president of her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, chair of the Cornell Ambassadors, a member of Quill and Dagger, and a university tour guide. (“For four years, I walked around backwards a lot on campus,” she said.)
Today, she continues to lead the way through her extensive volunteer roles that span class year, regional, and university-wide organizations.
“I loved being at Cornell. I loved the people I met, the energy of the school,” she said of her time on the Hill. “There was never a dull moment.”
She met Michael Ullmann ’80, now her husband, when they were both history majors. They had some classes together, went on one date, and kept in touch. Six years post-graduation, they began dating in earnest when Lisa moved to New York City. The rest, as they say, is history. Trips to Cornell and Ithaca became an annual ritual and a favorite destination for their children, Matt ’12, Emily, and Lauren. Their son, Matt, followed in his parents’ footsteps to attend the College of Arts and Sciences, and also met his wife, Sheri Ullmann ’12, at Cornell.
Lisa’s dedication to Cornell continued several years after graduation. Although she moved to Cincinnati to work for Procter & Gamble, part of her role in brand management involved recruiting job candidates and traveling to Cornell three times a year to interview students. Her Cornell volunteer career began at her fifth Reunion, where Lisa joined in class fundraising.
That early involvement has spun into eight Reunions for Lisa, and sparked what would become nearly 45 years of continuous service to Cornell.
“I’ve almost always been a class officer. I love it,” Lisa said. “It’s been a really fun journey!”
One of her favorite Cornell Activities includes organizing Red Hot Hockey/Frozen Apple tickets for the Class of 1981 since the event’s inception.
Her volunteering accelerated in the 1990s when she was appointed to Cornell University Council. In her second term, she was appointed to the administrative board, where she served on the development committee and became the development chair. She has continued development work as the co-chair of the National Annual Fund Leadership Committee (AFLC) for more than six years. This year, she was nominated and joined the Cornell Library Advisory Council.
Lisa is particularly passionate about her involvement with the President’s Council of Cornell Women (PCCW). She served as vice chair for four years, and headed the development committee.
“I have really loved being part of PCCW,” Lisa said. “It’s such a dynamic group of women, such interesting people with different interests and backgrounds and passions—not dissimilar to why I loved being at Cornell.”
Lisa splits her time between Princeton, NJ, and Florida. Her involvement with the Cornell Club of Southwest Florida began serendipitously during an afternoon run in Naples, Florida, in October 2019.
“I ran in my neighborhood and saw Cornell flags on a lawn,” she recalls. “Here I am—sweaty running—I went and knocked on this door, and they were having Zinck’s Night!” That chance encounter led to a new chapter in her Cornell service: she became co-chair of the Cornell Club of Southwest Florida with two fellow amazing Cornellians.
Outside of her Cornell commitments, she serves on the Morven Museum Garden board in Princeton, where she has served as chair of the Education and Public Programming committee. She’s also coordinator for the United States Tennis Association—winning Middle States USTA Junior Team Tennis Coordinator of the Year and Community Tennis Association of the Year. Lisa serves as vice chair of the Middle States USTA Junior Competition Committee, and is a member of the Middle States USTA Scholarship Committee.
“Doing the greatest good is something that really is kind of embedded in Cornellians. So doing good for the communities I live in is important to me,” she said.
Lisa organizes tennis leagues for 300–400 junior tennis players aged 9–18 each year in New Jersey.
“Tennis has always been a part of my life. My brother John Kremer ’87 was a Cornell tennis captain. I love tennis, and I love sharing that passion because it is a life sport,” she said.
Even after decades of living near another Ivy League campus, Lisa’s connection to Cornell remains uniquely powerful.
“I walk every day during the week across Princeton’s campus,” she said. “I don’t have any of those same feelings. I think it has to be your own university, and there’s just something unique about it. Do I think it’s unique to Cornell? I don’t know. But I love Cornell—GO BIG RED!”
That love for Cornell shows in every interaction, from her student days walking backwards giving campus tours to her volunteer leadership roles across Cornell. When asked about what drives her commitment, Lisa said:
“You have a natural connection with someone else who went to Cornell. And whether you’re going to Red Hot Hockey or you’re doing a Cornell Cares day, there are just so many ways you can volunteer, meet other Cornellians, and build that Cornell network—that connection.”
