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Preston Fuller

Protestant Campus Chaplain, United Campus Ministry

Homer Simpson once encountered God and when asked to describe the Creator of All Being he said, "God? Perfect teeth, nice smile, just a class act all the way."

Preston Fuller has also encountered God on several occasions though he didn't pay that much attention to God's dental work. In fact, Preston believes that God can be encountered every day by anybody. Preston explains, "I don't mean just in the smile of a child or the majesty of a sunset after a hard day skiing." God is encountered in daily life but also in the extremes of humanity, the brokenness of the individual and the collective spirit of those who work together to overcome despair and oppression. Jesus speaks about how God is with those who are the most downtrodden in society: "What has been done (both good and bad) unto the least of these has been done unto me."

Preston goes on to say "When you engage the world, you can't help but to catch glimpses of God. And the more you explore and serve that world, the more God is revealed."

Preston has seen God in places that you wouldn't expect. "One of the most clear was as a relief chaplain at Ground Zero in New York City," he says. "I saw God broken and, forgive me, I saw God dying as well. But I also saw the Hope of God rise out and resurrect from that despair in all those who worked there. Never did I see humanity so magnificent and so unified."

This unifying engagement is at the core of why Preston is at PSU. "My reason for being here is to experience God with and within the students and entire PSU community in all the forms of diversity, thought, challenge, religion and non-religion the campus has to share," says Preston. "I am here to serve and facilitate faith exploration for just about everyone, whether you are Protestant, Jewish or Neo-Pagan. We will find common bonds."

"I loved college... well, except exam time," says Preston, who is a 1994 graduate of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., and who also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School. "It is a time to challenge yourself and the world, to explore possibilities, to learn and to teach. What I love about students is their desire to explore the world around them in an honest way and their energy in following through on the changes they feel should be made. They truly embody the Mahatma Gandhi quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Preston laughs and says, "Well that's a lot of pontificating and philosophizing, you probably just came on here to find out who I am and what I like about life?  Here are some answers to frequently asked questions." 

Where are you from?
Pick a spot on the map and I have probably been from there at one time or another. I have lived in Wyoming, West Palm Beach, Florida, the Mid-West, a few states in New England, and a few places in between.

What do you do in your spare time?
I live to experience and seek out new adventures, people and food wherever they can be found. I am excited about exploring other people's worlds, from the streets and subway tunnels of the Boston homeless to the remote fishing villages off the coast of Crete. I am a HUGE outdoor enthusiast and enjoy biking, skiing (Alpine and Nordic), camping, cliff diving, shooting sports and the list goes on. I also do the indoor thing as well. I love "indie" films, poetry slams, and I have a large and varied collection of European board games. I love music of all kinds, from Radiohead to Uncle Tupelo, U2, Johnny Cash or 80s Metal (laughs). The last concert I saw was The Dresden Dolls at the Paradise in Boston. They are a must see!! I am also a faithful follower of the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, NCAA Sports (both men and women's teams) and you will see me cheering on the Panther teams here.

Who is that little girl in the picture?
That is my 15-month-old daughter, Eden Bronwyn Fuller. The pride and joy of myself and my wife, Kathi Fuller.

"Ok, we could go on... but let's just get to know each other in person. Come on by the Spiritual Reflection Center at anytime to talk (or complain) about anything you need or want to talk about. I am here to serve and listen to you. So put me to work!"

Peace in Christ,
Preston