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Junior Class
Noah Gernander
Noah Gernander was born in Dallas, Texas, but grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri, with his four siblings. He attended Bethany Lutheran College and received a B.A. in Biochemistry, after which he went on to the University of Iowa where he received an M.S. in Pharmacy. He met his wife Rebekah at Bethany, and they are very happy to be the parents of a one-year-old boy, Everett. He decided to pursue the ministry and returned to Mankato to learn the Biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew. He is thankful to be teaching classes in chemistry, evolution, and ethics in science at Bethany Lutheran College as an adjunct professor.
Noah has received a tradition of visiting the national parks and playing board games from his family. He also tries to play soccer, ultimate frisbee, disc golf, or tennis when he has the chance, and, of course, he loves to spend time with his wife and son. Noah is excited to deeply study the Word of God and growing in his faith during his years at the seminary.
Cyril Palm
Cyril Palm was born in Saint Paul, MN. He spent nine years in Oak Harbor, Washington until his family moved back to Minnesota for the remainder of childhood. In 2021 Cyril enrolled at Bethany Lutheran College where he majored in music with a minor in religion. Cyril was involved with many music groups on campus including choir, band, chamber orchestra and choraleers. During his time at Bethany, he met his wife Samantha, and they were married in July of 2025. Cyril also teaches violin and other instruments at Mount Olive Lutheran School and Risen Savior Lutheran School in Mankato. In his free time, Cyril enjoys playing board games, reading fiction and philosophy, fishing, listening to music, weightlifting, and drinking coffee. After much prayer, Cyril changed synods from the LCMS to the ELS and enrolled in Bethany Theological Seminary. There he is currently enrolled as a junior.
Matthew Schleusener
Matthew Schleusener was raised in Wisconsin with his two brothers—his twin brother Noah is also a seminarian. He attended St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran’s parochial school until 4th grade, after which he was homeschooled through high school. He went on to Hillsdale College in Michigan for four years, graduating with a degree in Classics. After taking two years to pay off some of that college debt, Matthew decided to head to seminary.
Matthew enjoys reading and discussing almost anything sufficiently nerdy, though he particularly enjoys theology, philosophy, and literature. C.S. Lewis is a favorite author of his in all three categories. When time allows, he enjoys baking and cooking. He also loves to sing and enjoys both board and video gaming.
Nicholas Schmid
Nick Schmid was born and raised in Mankato, Minnesota. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School from kindergarten through high school, where he graduated in 2022. Afterward, he attended Bethany Lutheran College where he received a degree in Communication in the spring of 2025. Nick considers himself something of a musician, having been a member of Bethany’s concert band, chamber orchestra, drumline, and jazz band. He enjoys playing multiple instruments, and takes great joy in repairing instruments as well. Additionally, Nick enjoys making video games as an independent developer.
Noah Schmid
Noah Schmid was born and raised in Mankato, MN. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Mankato from kindergarten through high-school. After which he attended Bethany Lutheran College and graduated in 2025 with a BA degree in Communication. During his time at Bethany, Noah discovered his passion for music and began a hobby of instrument collection and repair. He participated in numerous musical ensembles, including the concert band, chamber orchestra, drumline, jazz band, and the pit orchestra in the winter musical. Additionally, Noah enjoys both playing and developing video games and riding his bike
Middler Class
Scott Fassett
Scott Fassett was born to Jeff and Rhonda (Wanderi) Fassett in Houston, Texas. At the age of seven, his family moved to Alexandria, Minnesota where he spent the remainder of his youth. He attended Jefferson High School spending most of his time in the band room (percussionist), and was spiritually nurtured at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (LCMS) through the end of his high-school years. Upon graduating, Scott received a percussion scholarship to Bethany Lutheran College, where he majored in Business Administration (Finance) and a minor in Communication. During his time at BLC (2010-14) he directed the B-Town Drumline, participated in Theater Physics, created an award winning tv segment for the hockey broadcast, attended Peace Lutheran Church (North Mankato), and most importantly, met and married his wife Katy Fassett in 2015 (daughter of Rev. Daniel and Julie Faugstad ). After graduating, Scott worked as a Financial Advisor for Thrivent Financial in Mankato and Alexandria for 9 years before moving back to Mankato to enroll in the seminary. Scott and Katy are blessed with four boys: Otto 8, Ole 6, Nels 4, and Irvin 1, and are expecting another child in 2026! In his free-time, Scott loves spending as much time as possible outside, biking, watching football, and playing with his boys.
Senior Class
Adam Hoeft
Adam Hoeft was born and raised in Oconomowoc, WI. He attended elementary and middle school at Holy Trinity Lutheran School in Okauchee, WI. He attended public high school, during which time he began to consider entering the public ministry. After graduating in 2019, he enrolled at Bethany Lutheran College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion, with minors in history and legal studies. During this time, Adam was involved with various musical ensembles on campus, including concert band, jazz band, and handbell choir. He was also involved in Bethany’s Mock Trial team, joining during the year after its inception. During his senior year, the Mock Trial team went to regional competitions for the first time. Adam served as a coach for the witnesses on the team for the 2023-2024 season. Apart from his activities at Bethany, Adam enjoys reading, going for walks, and various tabletop games, a pastime he shares with his father.
Arthur Langhorst
Arthur Langhorst spent most of his upbringing in Minnesota with his parents and seven siblings. He was homeschooled from 2nd grade up through high school, and later transferred from college in Virginia, MN to BLC in 2010. He graduated in 2013, from Bethany Lutheran College, with a BA degree in Communications. During his time at Bethany, he met his wife Constance. They have been happily married for twelve years and have three sweet sons, Philip, Frederick, and Winston.
Arthur enjoys the great outdoors, drinking coffee, singing, and playing cards/board games. His
wife is an accomplished musician. She plays piano beautifully and is skilled at encouraging her
students to love playing as much as she does. While working for some great companies, BizWiz Marketing LLC and Bloedel Builders LLC, Arthur began to prayerfully consider the ministry. He began his seminary training and now is starting his senior year at Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary.
Noah Schleusener
Noah Schleusener enjoys reading and discussing books, stories, philosophies, and ideas generally, mostly theology, philosophy, a bit of history, and some fantasy. Apart from that, he also enjoys singing and music in general, with a slight preference for jazz and jazz-related genres. He also considers himself something of a mac-and-cheese connoisseur.
Noah finds joy diving deep into God’s word regularly with the seminarians and professors. He preached his first sermons last summer and is currently working on on his master’s thesis project.
Vicar Class
Peter Estrem Jr.
Peter Estrem Jr. was born and raised in the suburbs of Austin, TX. He attended public school for elementary school and middle school; afterwards, he was homeschooled for high school. Peter first began thinking about entering into the ministry during his confirmation classes. He received encouragement and guidance from his pastors at Hope Lutheran Church in Leander, TX. After graduating in 2018, Peter attended Bethany Lutheran College and graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in History. While at Bethany, Peter studied the Biblical languages Greek and Hebrew. He also participated in the fine arts programs offered at Bethany such as organ lessons, choir, band, and theatre. Peter enjoys spending his time drinking coffee, cooking, and exploring the outdoors.
Peter is currently serving as vicar at Divine Mercy Lutheran Church in Weatherford, Texas.