Pastor and Head of Staff
Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, Augusta, Ga.
As Presbyterian College’s Class of 2025 prepared to take the final steps of their undergraduate journey, they were encouraged to remember who they are, who helped them along the way, and what they are called to do.
The Rev. Dr. Brandi Casto-Waters ’97 delivered a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply reflective sermon during PC’s annual Baccalaureate Service held Friday, May 9, in Belk Auditorium. Drawing from Romans 12:1-2, 9-18, she challenged graduates to live lives rooted in love, patience, and service—guiding principles she described as a “no-nonsense vision for Christian living.”
Casto-Waters, a Presbyterian College alumna and current pastor and head of staff at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Augusta, Ga., returned to her alma mater to share words of encouragement and wisdom during one of the most meaningful services of commencement weekend.
Quoting the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, she reminded students that love should be genuine, hope must be embraced, and hospitality extended.
“Rejoice in hope. Be patient in suffering. Persevere in prayer,” she said. “Contribute to the needs of the saints. Extend hospitality to strangers. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.”
Casto-Waters, who also serves on the Presbyterian College Board of Trustees, drew laughter from the audience with anecdotes about childhood school rules and rewards. From remembering classroom expectations like “raising your hand before you speak” and “walking on the second tile with a smile,” she reflected on how early lessons in obedience and community helped shape the foundation for future seasons of life.
She compared those simpler, structured days with the complex challenges graduates now face. In college, she said, students learn more than just academic skills—they are taught how to discern their purpose.
“The purpose of these last four years wasn’t so you could get a job,” she said. “It was so you could discern your calling.”
That message resonated with the hundreds of students, faculty, and families gathered in Belk Auditorium. Casto-Waters encouraged the class to embrace their gifts and trust in the grace that had brought them to this moment.
“God has clearly gifted you,” she said. “Some of you are mathematicians, and some are scientists. Some of you can write beautifully and speak eloquently. Some of you will be doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers, pharmacists. Some will be teachers, administrators, pastors. Our prayer is that you will use your gifts to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
Referencing the 1981 film “Chariots of Fire,” she invoked the powerful line spoken by missionary and Olympic runner Eric Liddell: “God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” Casto-Waters used the quote to illustrate how finding joy in one’s calling can be a form of divine fulfillment.
“Don’t get so caught up in your responsibilities that you neglect the gifts that make you feel God’s pleasure,” she said. “Whatever your gift is—creating, writing, singing, teaching, leading—use it. Don’t forget to marvel.”
She also led the audience in a reflective moment, asking everyone to take ten seconds of silence to call to mind those who helped them reach this milestone—mentors, teachers, family, and friends, both living and gone.
“Think how much it would mean to them to know you can still hear their voice encouraging you,” she said. “We are who we are because of those who loved us into being.”
Casto-Waters closed by inviting graduates to remember not only the people but also the places that shaped them—a classroom, a lake, a sanctuary, or even a spot on campus that brought peace and clarity. For those who thought of PC, she offered a lasting reassurance:
“No matter how far you go, PC will always be your home,” she said. “It’s here we learn to live and serve.”
Honoring Service to College and Church
During the service, two longtime faculty members were honored with the Martha Anne Green Service to College and Church Award, recognizing their dedication to the spiritual and academic mission of Presbyterian College.
Dr. Robert A. Bryant, the Emma Bailey Cornelson Chair of Religion, was celebrated for his nearly three decades of service to the college and the larger Presbyterian Church. A member of the faculty since 1998, Bryant was named Professor of the Year in 2016 and has served as a preacher and lecturer across the region. Alongside his wife, Leigh Ann, he led youth programs at First Presbyterian Church and has actively served in Trinity Presbytery.
Dr. Ron Zimmerman, professor of biology since 1991, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to science education and his steadfast commitment to faith-based service. In addition to his research mentorship and leadership roles on campus, Zimmerman has served as a ruling elder at First Presbyterian Church and chaired the church’s Global Missions Committee. He has led college outreach efforts such as Rise Against Hunger and PC Connections, bridging campus and congregation in meaningful ways.
The award is named in honor of the late Martha Anne Green, a former Presbyterian College first lady and lifelong advocate for faith and education. It is given annually to members of the PC community who embody the college’s motto, Dum Vivimus Servimus—“While We Live, We Serve.”
A Message of Faith and Forward Momentum
As the Class of 2025 graduates and step into an uncertain future, Casto-Waters acknowledged the pressure they may feel to have every step planned. But she reassured them that unpredictability is not failure—it’s part of the journey.
“Everyone is surprised by the twists and turns and disappointments that come after college,” she said. “But we have been praying for you since the moment God made you.”
She urged them to hold on to the rules that matter most—not the ones about walking in lines or flipping behavior cards, but the ones Jesus taught: to love God and to love your neighbor.
With that charge, the Presbyterian College community sent forth its newest graduates—grounded in faith, inspired by calling, and embraced by the love of those who helped them along the way.
“Be good stewards of your gifts,” Casto-Waters said. “Live lives worthy of the calling to which you have been called. And know that we will always be praying for you.”
