NBTS Appoints The Rev. Tracey Joel Hunter Hayes as Director of Gardner A. Sage Library
January 19, 2016
NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey –New Brunswick Theological Seminary, the first seminary established in North America, today announced the appointment of the Reverend Tracey Joel Hunter Hayes as the new Director of the historic Gardner A. Sage Library, effective immediately.
The Rev. Hunter Hayes is a career librarian with experience spanning 26 years in public, special and academic libraries. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, a Master of Library Sciences degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Divinity degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. The Rev. Hunter Hayes is an ordained American Baptist minister and was consecrated a Bishop by the Philadelphia Council of Clergy.
“Rev. Hunter Hayes comes to us with an impressive track record of service, experience and appreciation for archival materials,” said the Rev. Dr. Willard W.C. Ashley, Sr., Dean of the Seminary and Associate Professor of Practical Theology. “We are delighted that he responded positively to the call of God to continue his vocational journey with us, and we welcome him with open arms to his new position at NBTS.”
In his new role, the Rev. Hunter Hayes is responsible for all library operations, including strategic planning, policies, annual budgets, acquisitions, archives, and supervising and developing the library staff. Rev. Hunter Hayes will also oversee the Library’s education programs, serve as a liaison to national and local organizations, sit on the Faculty Council and serve as Chair of the Faculty Library Committee.
“I am incredibly excited and count it a blessing to join the NBTS family; we share a commitment to academic excellence, support for personal faith and engagement with the surrounding community,” said the Rev. Hunter Hayes. “I accept this appointment with great pride, passion, and a strong belief in the power of prayer and the importance of formal theological education.
The Rev. Hunter Hayes launched his academic library career and assessment experience while serving as the first African American male American Library Association fellow in 1992. He was appointed to his first directorship in 1999 at a military library and has served in library leadership positions at several universities.
He has facilitated multimillion-dollar renovations at many libraries, including his undergraduate alma mater where he raised more than $12 million. Rev. Hunter Hayes also directed Lincoln University into earning a Middle States Commendation and facilitated a $17 million renovation project of the Langston Hughes Memorial Library.
New Brunswick Theological Seminary’s three-yearBuilding A New Future Comprehensive Campaign, launched in January of 2014, has received approximately $6 million toward its goal of $8 million. Campaign gifts designated for Gardner A. Sage Library will support its restoration, renovation and increased accessibility, as well as lighting, seating and technology improvements. For more information about theBuilding A New Future campaign, please contact Cathy Proctor, NBTS Director of Development, at cproctor@nbts.edu.
For more information about The Rev. Hunter Hayes, please click here.
For more information about the Gardner A. Sage Library, please click here.