Frye, who served as interim president from 2003 to 2004 and then 12th president from 2011 to 2015, died May 13, 2025.
Former Wayne State College President Curt Frye, who served as the college’s 12th president from 2011-2015, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, S.D. He was 77.
Frye was living in Yankton, S.D., and he was formerly of Wayne. A Celebration of Life will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, June 27, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Wayne, with a reception immediately following. Arrangements are with Hasemann Funeral Home of Wayne.
Frye began his career at Wayne State College in 1985, serving as associate dean of students, dean of students, and in 1995, vice president and dean of students. He served his first stint as interim president from 2003 to 2004. Frye retired from Wayne State in 2009, but returned in 2010 to serve as interim president for a second time. Frye was selected as the 12th president of Wayne State College in 2011, serving until his retirement in 2015.
Frye and his wife, Dianne, avidly supported Wayne State College, Wayne State athletics, and served as trustees of the Wayne State Foundation. They established the Curt and Dianne Frye Annual Athletic Scholarship in 2004. Curt and Dianne have also been long-time members of Cat Club, and have supported several athletic improvement projects, including renovations to the track, stadium, and football field. They have also donated to the Wayne State Foundation’s Greatest Needs Fund and supported the renovations to the Willow Bowl and Conn Library.
A native of Elk City, Neb., Frye held a bachelor’s degree in education from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont and a master’s degree in education from Chadron State College. Prior to coming to WSC, he was a teacher and coach at Cody/Kilgore and a guidance counselor in Neligh and Wayne.
Frye served the community of Wayne for many years as a member of Kiwanis, president of Wayne Area Economic Development Board, and was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. He was inducted into the Wayne State College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 as a contributor.
Curt and Dianne have two children and two grandchildren.