shout

Teddy Roosevelt. Salvador Dali. Mahatma Gandhi. All great men. Men who were truly possessed by a vision. We know them today for their brilliant, creative minds and fervent passion, for setting the world ablaze and leaving a celebrated legacy behind. Yet, there is something beyond stature that unites these men. Something one might say is even more important. Something that... grows on your upper lip. Something that makes you look awesome. Indeed, these great men all sported a moustache with pride. And who knows? Perhaps sans ‘stache, Roosevelt would have never been taken seriously as a trustbuster. Rumor has it* that Dalí’s Dalí-'stache was the inspiration for “The Temptation of St. Anthony.” And how could Gandhi have devised nonviolent resistance plans without a mustache to play with to pass the time?

In the tradition of these mustachioed men, as well as the millions of others around the world--well-known or not--who have at some point grown the good growth, every winter term the members of the Carleton Moustache Club issue a challenge. The organization asks all Carls—even women—to participate in an effort to beautify campus by growing hair on their upper lip. A minimum of two weeks growth is required to join. According to co-President Ali Khaki, “Usually around 7th or 8th week in the term we will start encouraging members to shave into the full blown moustache. If you can wear the moustache and wear it proud for the final 2-3 weeks of the term the campus thanks you for the beauty you bring!”

The Moustache Club isn’t only about beautifying Carleton’s campus, however. In addition to the act of growing moustaches, the Club is also committed to community service in Northfield. In the past, the members have been involved in “charitable activities such as volunteering at library story hour, the animal shelter, and chaperoning Northfield high school dances.” Furthermore, all the money that the Moustache Club raises through the sale of T-shirts and pins goes to the Hope Center in Faribault, Minnesota, which “delivers advocacy and crisis intervention services to victims of domestic abuse, child abuse and sexual assault.” This year, the Mustache Club hopes to raise $500 towards this cause.

The culminating event for the club is the State of the Moustache address, traditionally delivered at the winter term Late Night Breakfast by that year’s president or presidents. The address assesses the current state of the moustache on Carleton’s campus, and offers words of encouragement to all members. On that night, all club members wear their moustaches proudly around campus and at the breakfast for all to behold.

This year’s Moustache Club co-presidents are Ali Khaki ‘07, William Guenthner ’07, and Byron White ’08. Keep reading shout! as we catch up with the Moustache Club at the end of the term and can behold them basking in their full moustachioed glory.

* No, not really, but there's a book about it