By Preyer Fountain, ‘19
I arrived in Chapel Hill my freshman year full of questions about the truth and desirability of Christianity. Intellectual doubt and spiritual apathy quickly led to a fracturing of my faith in the college environment. Amid that struggle, I met Madison Perry, who became pivotal in my faith journey. The Study Center eventually became a place where I could honestly and productively wrestle with questions of faith, truth, and meaning – While also enjoying community: meeting people from all across campus, studying with free coffee, and occasionally giving Madison cornhole lessons...
As an upper classman, engagement with Study Center staff and events also reshaped how I viewed vocation as a Christian. I came to believe there is no sacred-secular divide, where certain "spiritual" vocations matter more than others. Christians are called to be faithful contributors in every sphere of society. I'm deeply grateful for the connections made at the Study Center as I contemplated next steps after college. During my senior year, my wife (then-girlfriend) and I got to know Anna and Chris Hunter. Chris’s example – a faithful Christian, successful business leader, and devoted father and husband – has been professionally formative and personally meaningful.
I’m a big believer in the Study Center’s approach to faith, education, and life – without overemphasis on one to the exclusion of the others. It cultivated in me a desire to think deeply about my faith and to appreciate the richness of Christian spiritual and intellectual life. That foundation has served as a springboard into my years as a young professional: Since graduation I’ve worked in corporate strategy and finance, led a small group at my church, started a men’s book club in Raleigh, and spent a year in Oxford for theological studies. I’m continually grateful for how God used the Study Center in my life, and for its ongoing impact on so many others and the University writ large.
This is an excerpt from our 2025 Fall Newsletter.
