Meet the beard–or man–behind the Shave for a Cause fundraiser!
Name: Grant Meglis
Class Year: 2014
Major: Mathematics and Philosophy
Hometown: Acton, Massachusetts
What are you involved in on campus? I am currently captain of the Varsity Crew team, co-chair of the Inter Society Council, mentor of the Multicultural Peer Mentoring Project, member of Hamilton Alumni Leadership Training, and I’ve dabbled in the orienting of incoming first-years for Residential Life.
What is the fundraiser your beard is currently being subjected to? Where does the money go? All proceeds from this beard raffle go to The Montgomery Experience, in Waterville, New York. I cannot do their mission justice, so I will quote from their website: “Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of children, adults, and their families who are affected by severe medical conditions such as Cancer.” Mark Montgomery is one of the most impressive people I’ve ever met. His goal is to provide empowering “life skills” and nature education, and to help families who suffer to escape the difficulties of their situation. I struggle to think of a better organization to support.
Why did you decide to grow this iconic beard to begin with? To be honest, it started out as laziness. But after months and months of unrelenting sharp questions, undesired opinions, and flabbergasted stares, it turned into determination. Every quick quip aimed at my lumberjack-like appearance morphed into a challenge to surpass. Soon, my beard became less about my physical appearance and more about my expression of self-dedication.
What do you think of having your identity so closely associated with your facial hair? Often when I meet someone, the first thing we talk about is facial hair. When conversations turn awkward, people know that they can always comment on my beard. But, I think that people, I included, tend to be afraid of uniqueness in others and themselves. To those whom I’ve intimidated without sharing a word between us: I believe strongly in the following: “speak softly and [bear] a big [beard]” (Theodore Roosevelt…?).
What will you miss most about your beard? I stroke it when I think hard.
How do you hope to “leave your mark” at Hamilton? I hope to leave Hamilton better than I found it. I hope people to benefit from my presence in their lives. And I hope Hamilton remembers not me, but rather what I helped to create.
What will you miss most about Hamilton? I will miss the Hamilton people and the amazing experiences we shared together. One of the first descriptions of Hamilton students I ever heard was that they are “twistedly happy.” After three full years on this campus, I couldn’t agree more. People here find their own way to be happy. Nowhere else on earth have I seen smiles so free, and nowhere else on earth have I been able to smile so freely. Oh, and I’ll miss weird hangs. And Diner B. And the rock swing. And seeing orientees grow and thrive. And the streaking team. And morning rows on the water. And the howling you can hear from G-Road. Wait. I’m going to miss TCBs.