WAYNE, Neb. — The Wayne State community is in mourning the death of Curt Frye, a former president who leaves behind a legacy of dedication and service to the community.

Frye, who was 77, passed away Tuesday at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota. He served as the college's 12th president from 2011 to 2015.

Frye began his career at Wayne State in 1985 and also served as interim president twice. He and his wife, Dianne, were strong supporters of the college, its athletics programs, and the Wayne State Foundation. They established an athletic scholarship in 2004.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 27th, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Wayne. Frye was a native of Elk City, Nebraska, and held degrees from Midland Lutheran College and Chadron State College. He was inducted into the Wayne State College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.