© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Amateurs join the 'fiercely bearded' in Movember

Emanuele Berry/WKAR

This November, males across the nation threw out their razors and let their facial hair grow as part of "Movember", or no-shave-November. Some give up shaving for a philanthropic cause, such as raising awareness for prostate cancer, while others let their whiskers grow free as a sign of solidarity.There’s just under a week left till the end of November, but some amateur beard growers might be struggling not to pick up their razors and end their itchy misery.

Michael Harrell and Kevin Rathbun of the Lansing-based GAFBO, the Great American Fierce Beard Organization, say the group started several years ago when a group of MSU students would ask strangers to judge who had the fiercest beard. 

Related Content
Every WKAR News story you read is rooted in fact-based, local journalism, produced without commercial influence and available for free to everyone in mid-Michigan. No paywalls. Ever.

But this work doesn’t fund itself. With significant cuts to federal funding, public media is facing a critical moment. If you believe in journalism that serves the public interest, now is the time to act. Donate today.