We Are

Partner Congregations

University Park (United Methodist Church)
2180 S University Blvd
Denver, CO 80210
Location

Bethany Lutheran Church (ELCA)
4500 E Hampden Ave
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
Location

Wellshire Presbyterian Church

2999 S Colorado Blvd., #6607
Denver, CO 80222
Location

Board

The Foundation is governed by an ecumenical board, including the pastors of the four sponsoring churches, as well as lay leaders in the parishes and faculty/staff at DU. If you are interested in joining our board or would like more information about our board, please reach out at info@thefoundationdu.org. We would love to connect!

 
ec·u·men·i·cal /ˌekyəˈmenək(ə)l/ | adjective
- representing a number of different Christian Churches.
- promoting or relating to unity among the world's Christian Churches.

Meet the Chaplains

  • Andy Dunning (he/him)

    Andy serves as pastor at University Park United Methodist Church, across University Boulevard from the DU Campus.

    He and his wife Gayla have four adult children and two grandchildren. They share their home with a 15 pound Jack Russell terrier who firmly believes that he is a 90 pound pit bull and owns all the things.

    Andy has served United Methodist Churches in Colorado in various capacities since 1988, and has worked in the nonprofit sector as well.

  • Kiersten Hill (she/her)

    Kiersten is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Wellshire Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), where she focuses on creating safe spaces for students and young adults to explore their faith in Jesus Christ, participate in God's mission for the world, and develop authentic relationships with their peers, leaders, and our Triune God. Kiersten is finishing up her seminary degree and is working towards ordination with the PCUSA. Kiersten and her husband, Josh, live in Southwest Denver. They enjoy being outdoors, exploring the city, and spending time with their friends. They are also the co-captains of a young adult kickball team in Denver, which has been a highlight of their lives in Denver for the past few years. Whether skiing, hiking, biking, or trying new happy hour spots, Kiersten and Josh love experiencing all that Colorado has to offer.

  • Nate Preisinger (he/him)

    Nate is a pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church (ELCA) where he focuses on faith formation, hospitality, and bringing creativity to worship.

    Nate lives in Denver with his wife Amanda and their 3 active children: Evelyn (8), Solomon (6), and Miriam (2). They all enjoy reading books, making their own board games, eating ice cream, and camping in the backyard.

    When Nate's not at work or backyard camping with the family, you can find him running on the High Line Canal or watching basketball.

Meet The Director

  • Carolyn Tarr (she/her)

    Carolyn grew up in Palisade, CO and is a 4th generation member of the United Methodist Church. She attended the University of Colorado as a voice performance major. After graduating, she ventured to NYC where she earned her MSc in education and taught both high school and middle school.

    Carolyn continued to explore the world and her place in it through her work designing and launching university programs for students at the margins around the globe. From refugee camps to urban centers, Carolyn deepened her passion for community development through co-creation and collaborative design. Her latest project, F Cafe is a tangible manifestation of the world she is for (the f in F Cafe!). She envisions a world where solutions hold space for complexity at the nexus of social and environmental justice.

    Carolyn is a singer, writer, chef, storyteller, speaker, facilitator, coach, yogi and learner of all things. Most recently she was published alongside scholars, artists and researchers from across Africa in Langaa Publishing’s, Decolonize, Humxnize. In her essay, Where I Am, Who I Am, she shares her personal explorations of power and privilege as a transracial adoptee turned expat (economic migrant).

    She is thrilled to be leading The Foundation and to develop projects that regenerate all of us as we put our faith in action.