Campus Celebrities: Andy & Brandon Murphy ’17

Nearly identical (even their doctors cannot tell them apart!), Andy and Brandon Murphy love doing everything together, but made it very clear that they are each an individual, complete with his own interests and sense of style (which they will arguably say is better than the other’s). Brandon, a future clinical psychologist, and Andy, who aspires to work on political campaigns, both enjoy watching Netflix, playing FIFA, and rooting for their favorite teams: USA men’s soccer and Syracuse University basketball. Involved in nearly everything on campus, you can find these two giving tours to prospective students, working at their respective on-campus jobs, or Saga sitting (an Olympic sport at which Andy is a self-proclaimed “pro”). To find out more, check out this week’s Her Campus Celebrity article on the class of 2017’s most dynamic duo: the Murphy twins!

Names: Andy & Brandon Murphy

Hometown: Utica, New York (Andy Murphy: West Moreland, to be precise.)

(I was told to clarify that Utica is in central New York and cannot be considered “upstate”.)

Class Year: 2017

Majors: Psychology (Brandon) & Marketing (Andy)

Zodiac Sign: Cancer (Andy Murphy: “Isn’t funny how we have the same one?”)

Favorite Snack Food: Scooby’s, Goldfish, and any kind of chicken

Favorite Television Shows: The Office and Parks and Recreation

Top 5 Favorite Movies: Miracle, Armageddon, American Sniper, The Ides of March, Dirty Dancing

Siena Her Campus: So, what brought you two to Siena?

Brandon Murphy: The size and how it’s like a community.

Andy Murphy: We graduated high school in a class of only 77 kids so Siena is the perfect size for us. The size of this school is the size of our whole hometown.

BM: Plus, our brother, Ryan “Murph” Murphy went here. He graduated last year.

SHC: What are you involved in on campus?

AM&BM: (In unison) Everything. Just write everything.

AM: But actually, I am the Vice President of the Student Senate.

BM: And I am his executive assistant. We’re also Ambassadors.

SHC: Which is your favorite? Do you have one?

BM: Working with admissions is my favorite. I love being a tour guide.

AM: I love talking to the parents even more than the students. They’re more concerned and ask all the questions. They’re the ones who ask about the nightlife on campus.

BM: Yeah, their number one question is always whether or not there’s air conditioning.

(Which we determined every Siena student could agree is not a major concern after the first week of the fall semester.)

SHC: What do you think is the most important aspect of campus involvement?

AM: Definitely making the connections that help you after college.

BM: I think it’s all about getting involved and meeting other students. It’s relaxing and having people to talk to helps with the stress of your work load. Also, getting to make some great memories is a great part of being involved.

SHC: What would your advice be for others looking to get involved on campus?

BM: Don’t be scared. Just go to meetings and see what they’re all about. Go to the club fair and sign-up. Don’t be scared to try something new.

AM: I think that’s what college is all about. Finding new things you didn’t know you would like.

BM: Exactly. Like me, I was on SEB (Student Events Board) for a while and thought ‘Hey, why not try Senate?’.

AM: He came to the good side. Senate is better than SEB.*

SHC: That’s great! Since I’ve always dreamt of having a twin sister, I want to know what your favorite part about being a twin is.

AM&BM: (in unison) Rooming together.

AM: I do his laundry.

BM: You do not!

AM: Yes I do! You do the cleaning.

BM: I do the vacuuming…I just can’t fold clothes to save my life.

SHC: What’s your coolest twin story?

BM: I saved his life.

AM: We were born one month premature.

BM: He was terminally ill so they put him in an incubator and took him away. Then, one of the nurses said that putting one twin next to the other in the same incubator had been shown to improve the health of the sick twin.

AM: And I’m here today. (To Brandon:) Now I take care of you.

SHC: That is incredible! You guys clearly have a very special bond. Now before we go, do you have any closing Words of Wisdom?

AM&BM: (In unison) “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”

*I was told I wouldn’t get in trouble for putting that in our interview. Don’t worry SEB and Senate. Everyone at Siena loves and appreciates all of your hard work!