CSU Mourns Former BOT Chair, Joe Wren

It is with great sadness that the university announces the passing of Dr. Joe R. Wren, age 81, on Feb. 25, 2026. Wren served several terms on the Charleston Southern University Board of Trustees, including one term as chairman of the board.

Wren was pastor of Summerville Baptist Church from 1990-2012. He quickly became involved with Charleston Southern as he learned of the church’s influence in the establishment and continued support of the university. He and his wife, the late Kaye Wren, were active in campus life, and Kaye served on the CSU Women’s Council.

He was also a member of the CSU Board of Visitors. Members of Summerville Baptist Church established the Dr. Joe and Kaye Wren Endowed Scholarship to honor the Wrens and provide scholarship help to CSU students. 

Dr. Jairy C. Hunter, CSU president emeritus and a member of Summerville Baptist, said, “Dr. Joe Wren’s years of faithful service as chairman of the board, longstanding BOV member, student recruiter, fundraiser, and dear friend of the CSU family will have a lasting legacy.”

Wren served as pastor at churches in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. He was a graduate of Winthrop, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

A celebration of life service will be held at Summerville Baptist on Sunday, March 29 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Dr. Joe and Kaye Wren Endowed Scholarship Fund at Charleston Southern University or to Summerville Baptist Church.