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A Faithful Servant and Scholar
Casey Bennett reflects on his journey at VWU
University News | May 15, 2025
As 小猪视频 prepares to celebrate the Class of 2025 this Saturday, one graduate stands out not only for his academic achievements but also for his remarkable commitment to faith and fellowship. Casey Bennett, a biochemistry major with a minor in psychology, and on the pre-med track, has left a deep and lasting impact on campus—particularly through his work with Marlin Ministries. 
Originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, Casey arrived at VWU in the fall of 2021 and quickly immersed himself in the life of the campus. A student-athlete on the Men’s Golf team, a dedicated member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, a participant in the Ethics Bowl, and an active student in the Batten Honors College, Casey’s schedule has been packed from day one. But it is through Campus Ministries that he says he found both his calling and his community.
“I first got involved by playing the piano in the As One praise band,” Casey recalls. “I met the woman who would become my wife at Campus Ministries.” That connection would blossom into a leadership journey rooted in service. Over the past several years, Casey has taken on key leadership roles—guiding the praise band, leading a men's group and Bible study, and launching a creative fitness-based ministry called Gainz for God, designed to make the gym a more welcoming space for all.
“It’s been impactful both in terms of interacting with my fellow students, but it also reinforced my faith,” he says. “We had a lot of fun staging events that were light and approachable. My passion was taking on the hard subjects and making them not so scary.”
His efforts were recently recognized when he was named the recipient of both the Marlin Ministries Servant Leader Award and the Outstanding Senior in Biochemistry at the 2025 Spring Honors Convocation—a fitting tribute for someone who worked tirelessly to make faith accessible and community central.
Casey’s academic excellence has been equally impressive. He was honored with the VWU First-Year Chemistry Achievement Award and presented research from a summer study-away program in Haines, Alaska at the 2022 Academic Symposium. That experience, he says, remains one of his favorite memories from his time in the Batten Honors College.
“I have never seen a place with more natural beauty,” he says. “Every morning I got to wake up to eagles soaring through the sky in front of a glacier range right in our backyard.”
But it wasn’t just the scenery that left a lasting impression. “My most significant takeaway from the Batten Honors College is the importance of community and cooperation in an academic/work setting. I owe much of my success academically to problem-solving and studying hard with my classmates.”
Managing rigorous academics, athletics, leadership roles, and spiritual life has taught him one key lesson: time management. “It’s essential to make sure I don’t fall behind in any area,” he explains. “That skill will serve me well as I move forward.”
And forward he will go—Casey plans to attend medical school with the goal of becoming a neurologist and starting a family. As a final act of reflection and inspiration, he will deliver the student reflection at VWU’s 2025 Baccalaureate service.
As he prepares to take his next steps, Casey reflects on the VWU experience with deep gratitude.
“I’m going to reflect on the many different phases of life I’ve experienced here and the family atmosphere,” he shares. “Especially the support I received when I lost my brother. I couldn’t be more taken aback by the sense of family at Virginia Wesleyan.”
For Casey Bennett, graduation is not the end—it’s a continuation of a life dedicated to service, science, and faith.