Alumni News | Curt Frye Appointed 12th President of Wayne State College

Nebraska State College System (NSCS) Chancellor Stan Carpenter announced Thursday, June 2, that the NSCS Board of Trustees has appointed Curt Frye the 12th president of Wayne State College.

Frye began his career at WSC in 1985 and has held a number of leadership positions at the college. He served as interim president in 2003 after the resignation of former President Sheila Stearns and has held the interim position since 2010 after the resignation of former President Richard Collings.

"Curt's ability to engage the community will allow him to position Wayne State College as a leader in higher education and make it an even stronger institution," said Larry Teahon, chair of the NSCS Board of Trustees. "His experience and insight at the college will allow him to hit the ground running. The board and I are excited for what the future holds for Wayne State under his leadership."

"I am honored to be named the 12th president of Wayne State College, and I look forward to facing the challenges and rewards that come with the position," Frye said. "Working with Chancellor Carpenter and my colleagues in the Nebraska State College System and involving the greater Wayne State community are critically important to moving Wayne State into the future."

"Curt Frye has been at the heart of the action at Wayne State for many years and has demonstrated a profound appreciation for the college and its role in Nebraska and the region," Carpenter said. "We are fortunate to have someone with his background and passion for working with students and the many other college and community constituencies in northeast Nebraska. I look forward to working with him and am excited about what Wayne State will achieve under his leadership."

"I am delighted with the board's decision to appoint Curt president," said Trustee Carter "Cap" Peterson of Wayne. "He is a long-time Wayne resident and has served the college and community with distinction. Curt and his wife, Dianne, are valuable assets to the college, the community of Wayne, the Nebraska State College System and the region."

Frye began working at Wayne State in 1985, serving as associate dean of students, dean of students, and in 1993, vice president and dean of students. A native of Elk City, Frye holds a bachelor's degree in education from Midland Lutheran College and a master's degree in education from Chadron State College.

Prior to coming to Wayne State, Frye was a teacher and coach at Cody/Kilgore and a guidance counselor in Neligh and Wayne. He and his wife, Dianne, have two children and two grandchildren.

The Nebraska State College System serves nearly 9,000 students through three geographically diverse institutions. Combined, the three colleges offer more than 200 degree, certificate and pre-professional programs that are accessible on the campuses, via the Internet and in several locations throughout the state. With more than 250 credentialed faculty members and 50,000 successful graduates, the Nebraska State College System provides significant human and intellectual capital that contributes to the current and future strength of the state of Nebraska.