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Dr. Nya Kwiawon Taryor

Overview

Dr. Nya Kwiawon Taryor served as Hamilton College’s Protestant Chaplain and Coordinator of the Chaplaincy from approximately 1988 onward, becoming one of the most consistently visible figures in campus life documentation through the early 1990s. An author and minister originally from Liberia, Taryor worked to build ecumenical religious community on campus, coordinate the three-chaplain structure (Protestant, Catholic, Jewish), and integrate the chaplaincy with multicultural and social justice concerns. He appears in Spectator coverage across 66 issues in the 1988–1995 era — more frequently than almost any other named individual outside the administration.

Key Details

Full name: Dr. Nya Kwiawon Taryor
Title: Protestant Chaplain; Coordinator of the Chaplaincy
Arrival: Ca. 1988 (described as “newly appointed Chaplain” in September 1988 coverage)
Background: Liberian minister and author
Chaplaincy structure: Coordinated three chaplains — Protestant (Taryor), Catholic (Father John Croghan), Jewish (Heidi Ravven)

In the Sources

A profile published early in his tenure described Taryor’s commitment to building religious community on campus and his background as an author. He was described as a “coordinator of the chaplaincy,” suggesting a leadership role among Hamilton’s three-chaplain structure. The Spectator profiled his educational background and personal history as a minister and scholar.

Taryor was a highly visible presence at campus community events throughout his tenure. He welcomed approximately 250 students at the January 25, 1991 peace vigil in the Chapel, held on Dr. King’s birthday at the outset of the Gulf War. His opening remarks — “We are not here to polarize the community; rather, we wish to stand in solidarity with those who are struggling and caught in the middle of crisis” — were reported at length. He helped organize interfaith readings from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu scriptures at the vigil. (The Spectator, January 25, 1991)

Taryor is credited as a regular “Church in the Chapel” officiant and appeared in the Spectator’s event listings virtually every week during his tenure. His role extended beyond Sunday services to include counseling, organizing community discussions, and co-sponsoring campus events with other organizations.

Open Questions

What was Taryor’s precise start date at Hamilton?
Did Taryor publish scholarly or theological works during his Hamilton tenure?
How long did Taryor serve as Chaplain — through the Payne and Tobin administrations?
What was his relationship to the college’s multicultural and social justice programming?

Sources