The Rev. Roberta Dodds-Ingersoll ‘74 and the Rev. Zeta Touchton Lamberson ‘75, distinguished alumnae of Presbyterian College, were honored with the Sustain Lifetime Achievement Award at the Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE) conference in January at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn.
The award recognizes individuals who have dedicated their careers to Christian education and ministry, shaping generations of faith leaders.
For both Dodds-Ingersoll and Lamberson, the moment was more than just a recognition of their decades-long ministries—it was a full-circle moment that reaffirmed their calling and the influence of their alma mater and mentors. Among those celebrating with them were the Rev. Dr. British Hyrams, the Jack and Jane Presseau Associate Chaplain at PC, and three PC students: Ella Casto-Waters, Riley Taylor, and Sarah Grace Stanley.
A Night of Recognition and Reflection
When the Office of Spiritual Life at Presbyterian College learned that two alumnae were being honored, they made sure PC had a presence at the event. Perrin Tribble Andersen ’11, PC’s Cornelson Family Director of Church Relations, made the initial connection, and Hyrams reached out to both honorees via text to coordinate a meeting in Memphis.
Dodds-Ingersoll, moved by the connection, invited Hyrams to sit at her table at the awards dinner, calling her a “representative of PC and a stand-in for Dr. Jack Presseau,” a beloved professor of religion at PC who had deeply influenced both honorees. The gesture underscored the profound impact Dr. Presseau had on their formation and ministry.
During the awards ceremony, both Dodds-Ingersoll and Lamberson spoke about their time at Presbyterian College and credited Dr. Presseau with shaping their theological foundations and inspiring their careers in ministry. They recalled his challenging classroom discussions and his role in encouraging them to pursue graduate studies at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (PSCE), now Union Presbyterian Seminary.
“To hear their stories was nothing short of inspirational for me personally, and I am glad our students were there to hear it as well,” said Hyrams.
A Legacy of Ministry and Service
Dodds-Ingersoll and Lamberson took different paths to their callings, but both shared a passion for Christian education and nurturing future generations in faith.
Dodds-Ingersoll initially pursued a career in mathematics before feeling a call to Christian education. Her experience at PC and the Presseau’s influence guided her toward a new path, leading her to earn a Master of Christian Education from PSCE in 1979.
For 15 years, she dedicated herself to volunteer ministry while raising her children. She humorously described being on the “potted plant tour”, receiving plants instead of paychecks for her teaching and workshops. By the time her youngest child turned three, she knew it was time to pursue ordained ministry, enrolling at Southern Methodist University, where she earned her Master of Divinity in 1996.
Dodds-Ingersoll served three congregations, always centering her work on Christian education. She spent five years co-pastoring with her husband, the Rev. Bill Ingersoll, before taking on new roles in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and finally Illinois, where she served until her retirement in 2018.
“My first love is always still Christian education,” she said. “It’s always been about nurturing faith and seeing the next generation grow in their understanding of God.”
Her move to Illinois was unexpected—a Southern woman who never imagined living where it snowed. She joked that her church search committee presented her with burning bush pins during her installation service, symbolizing God’s call leading her somewhere she had never planned to go.
Reflecting on her Lifetime Achievement Award, she said, “I just had so many memories of the people who influenced my ministry. My ministry wouldn’t be possible without them.”
Lamberson initially majored in elementary education, with a minor in Christian education. She was among the early students shaped by Presseau’s work in Student Volunteer Services, engaging in community outreach in Laurens County.
She went on to earn her Master of Christian Education from PSCE in 1977, serving in South Carolina, West Virginia, and eventually the Atlanta metro area. While working at Peachtree Presbyterian in Atlanta, she helped launch the Educators in Large Churches event, a national gathering for Christian educators in large congregations.
Feeling called to ordained ministry, she earned her Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1991. Her first ordained role was at Peachtree Presbyterian, followed by positions at Macland Presbyterian and Covenant Presbyterian, where she eventually served as solo pastor.
Despite stepping into a senior leadership role, her passion remained in Christian education.
“Even as a solo pastor, I always saw teaching as my primary calling,” she said.
Now retired in Marietta, Ga., Lamberson remains active in teaching scripture, leading a monthly Bible study at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta. She describes it as her way of continuing to pass on the faith to the next generation.
A Lasting Connection to Presbyterian College
Both honorees reflected on their time at Presbyterian College as foundational to their spiritual formation and ministry. Lamberson, celebrating her 50th reunion this year, emphasized that PC’s small community and mentorship from faculty like Dr. Presseau set her on the path to Christian education.
The event was not just a celebration of two careers but a testament to the lasting influence of PC’s commitment to Christian education. As Rev. Hyrams noted, the connection to Presbyterian College extends across generations, opening doors to conversations and shared memories among alumni in ministry across the country.
For Dodds-Ingersoll and Lamberson, the award was a recognition of lives dedicated to faith, education, and service—but more importantly, a reflection of the people and places that shaped their journey.
“We all have lifetime achievements,” said Dodds-Ingersoll. “It’s not just about an award—it’s about the people who made it possible.”
The Future of Christian Education at PC
The legacy of Dr. Jack Presseau’s vision continues to shape Christian education at Presbyterian College, according to Rev. Dr. Buz Wilcoxon, a 2005 PC graduate and the Marianne & E.G. Lassiter Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life at PC.
“The Christian Education program at PC has a long and rich history, going back to this initial vision of Dr. Jack Presseau,” he said. “CE majors have gone on to incredible careers in all forms of ministry in the church. Roberta and Zeta have lived out Dr. Presseau’s vision in amazing ways,” Wilcoxon said.
He noted that PC’s faculty has expanded the Christian education major into a new major called Leadership, Service, and Ministry, encompassing various forms of practical ministry while remaining the core degree for those called to Christian formation and discipleship.
“In the last few years, we have also partnered with three PC(USA) seminaries in exciting agreements that will enable our undergraduate students to take master’s level courses, including ones in Christian education,” Wilcoxon added. “Though it looks different today, the legacy and vision of Dr. Presseau is still a guiding force in the education of PC students and the ministry of our alumni.”
