The position of University Chaplain was created in 1926 by the Rutgers University Board of Trustees. The position?s main duty is to provide oversight of the religious and spiritual interests of the university as well as serve as an advisor to students. In 1974 the position was discontinued and the chaplain?s duties were incorporated into the new position of Coordinator of Religious Affairs. In 1981 the Coordinator of Religious Affairs position was eliminated and the responsibilities fell to the individual Provosts of the three university campuses. In the mid-1990s the position changed again, and religious affairs were to be managed by the Office of Student Affairs. Bradford Abernethy was a Baptist minister who served as Rutgers University?s official university chaplain from 1945-1974. He worked under the office of the Dean of Men, headed by Dean Earl Reed Silvers and was responsible for the development of spiritual life on campus. In this position, Abernethy was responsible for overseeing religious services at Kirkpatrick Chapel, organizing conferences and events, and directing religious life. Abernethy was also involved with religious, academic and foreign exchange programs as Rutgers, becoming particularly involved with the Rutgers International Center students.
From the description of Records of the University Chaplain, 1928-1974. (Rutgers University). WorldCat record id: 767568395
