January 6, 2020 was a very special date for Chris Frye, Jr., who graduated from Gannon in 2010. He was sworn in as Mayor of New Castle, PA, a city of approximately 23,000, located almost mid-way between Pittsburgh and Erie. Chris is New Castle’s first black mayor and its youngest mayor. He ran his campaign under a similar oft-used slogan at Gannon: “Believe in the Possibility.”
Frye majored in Social Work at Gannon and was a member of both the Social Work and Leadership clubs. He also worked as a Resident Assistant and a Campus Tour Guide. Frye credits Gannon’s academic rigor and inclusive campus environment with preparing him for real-life situations and jobs. He is particularly grateful for the instruction and influence of Dr. Parris Baker, referring to him as professor, pastor, mentor and great friend. Following graduation, Frye went on to obtain a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Pittsburgh.
Prior to his election, Frye served as a Community Supports Coordinator with the Lawrence County Community Action Partnership. In his first days as mayor, Frye, a Republican, plans to sit down with his administration and identify solutions and strategies for strengthening his city.
Frye and his wife, Danielle, are raising their three children in New Castle. DaJaun and Damarian, ages 14 and 13, attend Frye’s alma mater, Kennedy Catholic High School, while 4-year-old Dania attends New Castle Christian Academy.
“Truly BELIEVE” is Frye’s advice to current students. He adds, “There aren’t limits to how successful you can be, unless you put limitations on yourself.”
Frye now looks forward to putting his own advice into action as New Castle’s mayor.
(published January 2020)