After a distinguished 35-year career that began with a memorable, brutally honest job interview, Dr. Raymond Frey was recently honored by Centenary University with its highest distinction: the Gold Dome Award. The university presented the award during its annual scholarship gala on June 10, celebrating Frey’s enduring legacy as a professor, administrator and university historian.
Frey’s journey at Centenary began in 1990 when a faculty member asked if he would teach a survey course on western civilization. Frey famously replied, “I think that’s the dumbest course in Centenary’s curriculum,” arguing that 10,000 years of history could not be taught in 16 weeks. The university hired him anyway, launching a career that would see him serve as a history professor, department chair, dean of faculty, and the university’s official chronicler.
Frey, who retired on December 31, was recently named professor of history emeritus by the Board of Trustees. Throughout his tenure, he became a fixture of campus life, often using his book, Centenary College, New Jersey, to teach students about the university’s architecture, history, and the importance of their place in its ongoing legacy.
In an era increasingly dominated by technology, Dr. Frey remained a steadfast advocate for the liberal arts. He emphasized that the ability to write, speak, and analyze material remains a critical competitive advantage for graduates.
“Studying the liberal arts gives you a breadth that other people simply don’t have,” Frey noted. “If you’re using AI, it’s coming from a computer—not from your heart and your soul.”
Beyond the classroom, Frey’s impact extended across the state and the nation. He is a recipient of the New Jersey Governor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement in History and Civics and has authored texts used in schools throughout the state.
His commitment to service was perhaps best exemplified by his work leading rebuilding efforts in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. In his retirement, Frey has continued this spirit of volunteerism at Newton Medical Center, where he recently became the first volunteer to receive a REACH Award from Atlantic Health for his life-saving assistance during an emergency birth. As a cancer survivor, his work at the hospital is particularly poignant, as he now serves as a counselor for the Cancer Hope Network.
“I’ve always been so proud of Centenary—our faculty members really go out of their way to help students,” Frey said. “There’s a real community feeling here. Centenary is a very special place.”
