Dr. Raymond Frey Retires from Centenary After Enduring Legacy
6/22/2026
Centenary University | Hackettstown, New Jersey
The university recognized Dr. Frey with its highest honor, the Gold Dome Award, at the annual scholarship gala on June 10.
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, ARTICLE CONTENT
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, June 22, 2026—Raymond Frey, Ph.D., admits that he almost blew his job interview at Centenary University. It was 1990, and Professor Harry Strickhausen had just asked Dr. Frey if he’d consider teaching a course in western civilization. Dr. Frey’s response: “I think that’s the dumbest course in Centenary’s curriculum.”
“Everyone in the room kind of paused and I thought, ‘Oh my God, I don’t believe I just said that,’” Dr. Frey chuckled. “I went on to explain that teaching 10,000 years of history in 16 weeks was impossible. Harry said, ‘You know, I believe you’re right.’”
Dr. Frey was hired, beginning a 35-year career at Centenary as a respected history professor, department chair, dean of faculty, and university historian. Along the way, he’s written several books, achieved recognition on campus and statewide—and most importantly—shaped the intellect and character of countless Centenary students. The beloved professor and historian retired from the university on Dec. 31. During the spring semester, Centenary’s Board of Trustees voted to bestow a new title, professor of history emeritus, on Dr. Frey, and at the annual scholarship gala on June 10, the university recognized his enduring legacy with its highest honor, the Gold Dome Award.
A graduate of William Paterson University, Dr. Frey earned a master’s degree from Fordham University and a doctorate from Drew University. He held adjunct teaching roles at several colleges in the New York metro region until his wife, Andra Harris Frey ’76/79, urged him to apply to Centenary. While his course content has spanned the globe, Dr. Frey holds a special place in his heart for the university’s rich history. “I’ve always wanted my students to know they’re part of a larger community,” said Dr. Frey, the author of Centenary College, New Jersey (Arcadia Publishing, 2012), which explores the university’s past. “In my classes, we spoke about the architecture of campus buildings, the fire of 1899, the president’s house fire in 2015, the sundial…I wanted students to understand that they are now part of Centenary’s legacy.”
Through the decades, Dr. Frey sought to equip Centenary students with the critical thinking and communication skills that remain vital across the workplace. “Studying the liberal arts gives you a breadth that other people simply don’t have,” Dr. Frey explained. Noting that artificial intelligence (AI) can’t replace original, critical thought, he added, “As you enter the workplace, you need to know how to write well and speak well. You need to know how to analyze material and do effective, accurate research. If you’re using AI, it’s coming from a computer—not from your heart and your soul.”
Dr. Frey also modeled for his students an abiding spirit of volunteerism. When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005, he led several teams to New Orleans to assist with the rebuilding efforts. The experience was so deeply moving that today, he remains in touch with the former students and faculty who worked alongside him in the storm-ravaged state.
A cancer survivor, Dr. Frey was recently certified as a counselor for the Cancer Hope Network. He has also logged more than 2,500 hours at Newton Medical Center. This spring, Atlantic Health selected Dr. Frey as the recipient of a REACH Award for assisting with an emergency birth—the first volunteer to receive the honor. He said, “I’ve spent my life volunteering, so working at the hospital has been a good transition into retirement. It’s been very meaningful to volunteer at the hospital that treated my cancer.”
Dr. Frey’s scholarship has extended far beyond Centenary’s campus to encompass broader state and national narratives. He is the author of New Jersey, A Journey of Discovery (Gibbs Smith, 2004), a text used by schools throughout the state that won an award from the New Jersey Historical Commission. His first book, William James Durant: An Intellectual Biography (Edwin Mellen PR, 1991) chronicled the life and work of the Pulitzer Prize winning historian and philosopher, who grew up in New Jersey. In 2009, Dr. Frey received the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement in History and Civics. Reflecting on his career at Centenary, Dr. Frey said, “I’ve always been so proud of Centenary— our faculty members really go out of their way to help students. There’s a real community feeling here. Centenary is a very special place.”
ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1867 by the United Methodist Church, Centenary University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation and career-focused learning. Located in Hackettstown, New Jersey, with an equestrian center in Washington Township, Centenary provides students with hands-on, personalized educational experiences that prepare them for success in a global and evolving workforce. Guided by its commitment to student success, university vitality, and world engagement, Centenary empowers students to lead lives of purpose, impact, and lifelong achievement.