HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — Centenary University is celebrating the career and legacy of Raymond Frey, Ph.D., a longtime history professor, administrator and university historian who retired after 35 years of service.
Frey joined Centenary in 1990 and went on to serve as a history professor, department chair, dean of faculty and university historian. During his tenure, he authored several books, mentored generations of students and became a prominent voice in preserving the university’s history.
The university recognized Frey’s contributions by awarding him the title of professor of history emeritus. He also received Centenary’s highest honor, the Gold Dome Award, during the university’s annual scholarship gala on June 10.
Frey recalled a memorable moment during his job interview when he was asked whether he would teach a western civilization course.
“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.’”
A graduate of William Paterson University, Frey earned a master’s degree from Fordham University and a doctorate from Drew University before joining Centenary.
In addition to teaching world and American history, Frey developed a passion for documenting Centenary’s own story. He authored Centenary College, New Jersey, a book chronicling the institution’s history.
“I’ve always wanted my students to know they’re part of a larger community,” said Dr. Frey. “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.”
Frey emphasized the value of a liberal arts education throughout his career, encouraging students to develop strong communication, research and analytical skills.
“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.”
Beyond the classroom, Frey led volunteer service trips to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and has dedicated thousands of hours to volunteer work. A cancer survivor, he recently became certified as a counselor with the Cancer Hope Network and has logged more than 2,500 volunteer hours at Newton Medical Center.
This year, Atlantic Health honored Frey with a REACH Award for assisting with an emergency birth, making him the first volunteer to receive the recognition.
“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,” he said.
Frey’s scholarship also extended beyond Centenary. He authored New Jersey, A Journey of Discovery, which has been used in schools across the state and received recognition from the New Jersey Historical Commission. In 2009, he received the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement in History and Civics.
Reflecting on his decades at the university, 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.”
