When Karen Hubble Mortillaro graduated as a Skip of 1989, little did she know that she would return to State Street a few years later to teach. Beginning in 1994, she returned to Ursuline to teach history and religion. While she has taught different grade levels and different subjects throughout her career, she taught Advanced Placement U.S. History for all twenty-six years. During her time at Ursuline, she served as the academy’s first Mission Effectiveness Director, Rally Night Coordinator, Close Up Coordinator, and Dean of Students. She coordinated twenty-one Rally Nights and twenty-four Close Ups of over 700 students. The number of student activities she has led is far too many to count! In asking Karen about her most memorable experience as a teacher, she stated: “I have had many wonderful memories in the classroom. The thing that I loved the most was when a student would tell me that they were talking to their parents about what we discussed in class or were inspired to find out about current events because they have enjoyed the class so much!” Both as a student and employee, Karen has made many memories at Ursuline. When the opportunity came for Karen to elevate her involvement with her alma mater and create new memories, she stepped up. In July 2019, this true blue Ursuline girl left State Street to join as Co-Director of the Office of Sponsorship for the Ursuline Provincialate USA’s Central Province. Yet again, Karen became the “first” to serve in a position, as she is the first layperson to hold this title. For thirteen years prior to Karen’s appointment, Sr. Madonna
O’Hara served as sole Director of the Office of Sponsorship. Upon Sr. Madonna’s retirement, the decision was made to add a layperson in order to connect Ursuline schools and begin to foster the Ursuline/Catholic identity with laity. “We want to ensure everyone knows what that identity is based on and that they are a part of a much larger sisterhood who all share the same mission, core values, and love of St. Angela Merici,” Karen said. Joining her Co-Director Sr. Diane Fulgenzi, Karen serves as a liaison between Ursuline Central Province schools and the leadership team of Ursuline Sisters. “My favorite part of the job so far has been spending the fall semester visiting all five of the Central Province schools! In addition to New Orleans, the Ursuline Provincialate of the Central Province sponsors schools in St. Louis, Missouri; Dallas, Texas; Dedham, Massachusetts; and Waterville, Maine. Being able to visit the campuses and meet the leaders of the schools, as well as many faculty and students, has allowed me to begin to truly feel how each school lives the mission and charism of St. Angela. All of our schools have that family atmosphere and welcoming feeling that we all love about Ursuline New Orleans and I am now blessed to be a part of each of those families,” Karen said. Ursuline Academy of New Orleans is truly proud of this special alumna and is blessed to have her in this new position. While she has touched the lives of many on State Street, she will now make an impact around the nation.
A True Blue Ursuline Girl By: Christy Jackson Zurcher ’00
