Quest For The Beard

The sullen, clean shaven faces of the senior men spark questions about masculinity and facial hair.

Why is a man’s beard so important to him and why are they not allowed year round at Christian Brothers? 

The runner up in the Talon‘s March hairiness bracket, Gordon Pershall (’15), had some choice words about CB’s restriction on his majestic follicle growth.

“I mean Jesus had  beard didn’t he? Teacher have beards, why should we?” he asks. “My face gets unbelievably dry from the constant shaving I have to do to tame this face carpet that is constantly trying to emerge”.

So if it’s so inconvenient for the testosterone filled young men of CB, why is regular shaving still demanded? The first step for this investigation involved CB’s Dean of Students Mr. Dave Levasseur, who is known for sporting a suave goatee. 

“[My beard] is an intregral part of my life,” he says. “It’s been with me since high school, on and off that is”

Then how could a man who understands the importance of facial hair support the banning of it on the campus?

“That goes to the decorum and professionalism of CB, similar to the dress code,” Mr. Levasseur says. “The rule also teaches life lessons, like how to shave.”

So the why to the dress codes rules on beards have been answered, but why is the beard so important to the men who have them or aspire to grow them? 

When Mr. Evan Boylan was asked what his beard provided for him emotionally he answered with a brief expulsion of insight.

“Masculinity. Intimidation,” he says of his beard’s abilities.

As the former Jesuit student continued discussing beards, he brought up another important aspect to the world of facial hair — who should grow a beard and what can someone do if they can’t grow a beard. 

“I think everyone should try it, but if you can’t accept that and don’t be a guy who tries to grow a beard,” the history teacher says. “If someone can’t grow a beard, they should try either a mustache or some cool shadowing like John Mayer and Johnny Depp do.” 

True words of wisdom from the bearded faculty member. After clarifying the dos and don’ts of follicle growth, Mr. Boylan went on to describe his facial experience this year. 

“This was my first year trying to grow a beard, and I like it.”

After a moment of contemplation, the history teacher continued. “It adds a nice contrast to my face and it’s almost like a cool new outfit, but for my face”

You’ve heard it here, CB — beards are manly. Take every opportunity you have to grow one: summer vacations, spring breaks, winter breaks. There are periods of the year you can attempt the quest for the beard.