Who is Thomas?

Thomas Glaeser, our beloved NCU icon, strolls the sidewalks of our school as a light and joy to the world around him. His heart’s desire is to bring a smile to everyone’s face with a solid high five and “how are ya doing?”. He loves being the man “everyone knows”, and he is always at NCU sporting events cheering on the student-athletes. He loves attending the weekly Praise Gathering (PG) on Wednesday evenings. Thomas is a man who loves well and enjoys life.

Thomas and I met a few days after I started here at NCU. As a transfer student living in the apartments, I felt a bit isolated from the rest of the NCU community, but Thomas’s warm smile and enthusiasm were quite encouraging. He makes those around him feel seen and has an incredible heart for those who are suffering affliction. 

Recently, Thomas agreed to an interview with me so I could get to know a little bit about him. One of the first things that Thomas made sure I knew about in our conversation was Hurricane Ian and the devastation it has caused for our brothers and sisters in Florida. He informed me of all the details and asked that I keep those affected in my heart and prayers. I was moved by his heart for people he does not know and most likely will never meet.

For years Thomas has been a joy to NCU, but he does so much more outside campus walls. Not only is he a volunteer for Hope Community Church here in Minneapolis, but he has volunteered for a youth missions organization called Youth Works for the past 20 years! 

Other than his joyful work in the community he enjoys the simple things in life like a good cup of coffee, and seeing Lauren Daigle in concert; not to mention that he is, in fact, taller than her and is proud of it! Furthermore, he claims to be unmatched in his pool and card skills, so much so that “not many people want to play me” he said.

Although Thomas loves his family, his twin sister, serving his community, and the simple things in life, Thomas said that his favorite thing to do is “hang around people like you and talk to them”. Thomas lives to make people like you and me smile and show them the love of Jesus. 

He wants the world to know that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). I hope and pray that the NCU community will seek to love Jesus and people like Thomas does so well.

Thank you Thomas for being a part of our NCU community.

(Photo credit to Will Appleby).