Per Circulum Locuti Sunt | Voices on the Circle
Thanks for Listening A Chapel Talk by Thomas Hugh McGlade III ’13 October 19, 2012
38 | Quarterly Winter 2013
I
attribute many of my best characteristics to a woman by the name of Melanie McGlade. I also attribute many of my more “forceful” and “outspoken” qualities to her. Melanie, who stands at 5 feet 4 inches and has a full head of natural red hair, is known to many as my mother—mostly because she birthed me. Quick and sharp, Melanie’s bold personality has made many of her visits to the Circle memorable to my dormmates. At one point last year, she displayed her aptitude for candor and clarity while visiting Sales’ dormitory. Nick Funnell and Adam Hardej—both of whom had just visited the McGlade home—were sitting in my room with me. Melanie sauntered in—possibly in high heels— and, prior to any hellos or how-are-you’s, said, “Nick! Thanks so much for your thank-you note. Adam, I’m sure yours is in the mail.” She then proceeded to explain to us how we were “pigs” for keeping our room in such a gross condition, and as is always best with Melanie, we nodded our heads as if we understood her concerns. This type of behavior—known as “classic” or “vintage” Melanie—is both highly amusing and quite expected. Now let’s move on to the other half—Tom McGlade. Tom, who stands at 6 feet 2 inches, with basically no hair, is my father. Tom is passionate about many things—exercise, his diet, our family, his profession—but there may be one thing that he loves to do more than almost anything else—talk. Melanie and I often exchange a glance as Tom delves into an explanation of why the curve of the 30-year bond has been steepening so dramatically recently. Luckily,