Staff Writer- Amelia Dewberry

This week’s Gustie of the Week is Meg Balfanz, known for her infectious laugh and unique skills.

Balfanz first came to Gustavus as a Biology major because she was drawn to Nobel Hall on her campus tour and enjoyed the subject in high school. Since then, she has appreciated that “every single professor in that department is so personable and friendly and really looking to help out their students and get to know their students well.”

The overlap between Biology and Environmental Studies led her to pick up a second major during her Sophomore year. Again, she enjoyed being in “such a close-knit community,” getting to know students she hadn’t even taken classes with. 

Balfanz’s experiences in her classes led her to pick up two unexpected interests: birding and taxidermy. A bird identification unit in her Vertebrate Zoology course sparked her interest in bird calls and appearances, leading her to buy some binoculars and bird watch for fun ever since. 

Similarly, she enjoyed making bird study skins for class and asked Jon Grinnell, Associate Professor of Biology, more about taxidermy. He taught her more, and she has continued to come in to help others with study skins and taxidermy, specializing in stuffing owls.  

So far, she has made live mounts of owls, a catbird and is currently working on a woodcock. 

“It’s just kind of a fun thing that I don’t feel like I would have the opportunity to do elsewhere,” Balfanz explained. 

Balfanz’s special interest stands out to Grinnell. 

“Meg is wonderfully free about pursuing her interests. She likes something, and she goes for it,” Grinnell described. “Meg has lots of outdoor skills and experience and this seems to be another way of her experiencing the natural world she loves.”

On campus, Balfanz is involved with the Alpha Sigma Tau (AST) sorority, LineUs Improv, Library Student Advisory Board, and works two jobs. 

When she attended LineUs shows her first two years at Gustavus, Balfanz never imagined herself joining improv until she was encouraged to audition in her Junior year. She gave it a shot in auditions and was accepted to join the group. 

For Balfanz, LineUs has been a special family. “I’m really fortunate to get to hang out with them because that’s what I feel like our rehearsals always are, it’s just like an opportunity to hang out,” Balfanz said. While the shows and doing improv are fun, it’s the people who stand out. 

One of her roommates, Senior Julia Nelson, said the two have gotten closer since Balfanz joined the troupe. Nelson described Balfanz as “hilarious, kind-hearted, and comfortable to talk to.” 

“She’s super chill and I really enjoy the time we spend doing whatever insane stuff we do,” Nelson said. 

Balfanz has most enjoyed the strong community at Gustavus. The small size “makes it easier to stay connected and make deeper friendships with people who otherwise would just be classmates,” Balfanz said. She loves always seeing people she knows to wave to or chat with as she walks across campus. 

One of the close friendships Balfanz has formed here is with Senior and fellow AST member Margo Brettin. The pair first met at orientation, where Brettin knew her as the class rock-paper-scissors champion. 

“Now I know her more as a close personal friend and a Just Dance master. Some of her best qualities are her strong leadership qualities and helpful nature. If I am in a predicament, I know I can always ask her for advice!” Brettin said.

As Balfanz prepares to graduate next month, she plans to attend graduate school, where she will continue to research birds. As she looks back on her time at Gustavus, Balfanz’s advice to younger students is to reach out to people.

“Whether that just be talking more with the people you have class with, hanging out outside of class,” Balfanz explained, “I feel like everyone here is here to make connections, and all you have to do is to kind of take that first step.”