[2] Curris began his work in higher education in 1965 as vice president and dean of the faculty at Midway College in Kentucky.

After Curris's contract was not continued at Murray State in 1983, he was hired as president of University of Northern Iowa.

That same year, the Murray State University Board of Regents named the school's new student center after Curris.

[5] Curris' involvement with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities began during his presidency of Northern Iowa.

They live in Lexington, Kentucky, and are the parents of two adult children: Robert Alexander and Elena Diane.

[6] Curris received the Alumni Achievement Award from the College of Arts and Science at the University of Illinois.