Murphy joins the running for faculty, staff's 'Most Spirited Sun Devil'

It has been just over a week since Haley Burrow was announced as the first finalist competing for the title of ASU faculty and staff’s “Most Spirited Sun Devil.” This past Saturday, at the ASU vs. Wisconsin Blackout Game, Ana Murphy joined the running as the second official finalist.

Born and raised in Mesa, Ariz., Murphy has been a lifelong Sun Devil with deep family roots in ASU. Both of her parents graduated from the university, as well as her brother, sister and several members of her extended family. The tradition continues with Murphy’s eldest son, who is a first-year Sun Devil.

Murphy graduated from ASU in 1982 with a bachelor’s in nursing and received her master’s in nursing from the university in 1993. She began teaching at ASU in the fall of 2012 and is currently a nursing instructor in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation.

Congratulations Ana, and thank you for being a great example of Sun Devil spirit!  

To learn more about this die-hard Devil, check out our Q&A with her below.

Q: How do you show your Sun Devil spirit?

A: I show my spirit with lots of Maroon and Gold apparel: T-shirts, sweatpants, sweatshirts and even my scrubs. I also have ASU blankets, cups and car decals. I have been a season ticket holder since I was 10 years old. The only time I did not have season tickets was when I served seven years in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps.

My family and I have had a block of tickets in the south end zone for over 40 years.

Q: Why is having spirit important?

A: Having pride in your school and educational program is so important to the atmosphere of a college campus. I feel ASU alums, like myself, are best equipped to carry on the spirit that we had as students and pass it on to our community and current students. When I hear stories from my students that have come from all over the country and the world to receive their nursing education here at ASU, I feel it is my responsibility to provide them with a positive and enthusiastic environment that gets them excited about their education, their future career in nursing and makes them feel confident that they made the right decision by coming to ASU.

Q: Why do you love being a Sun Devil?

A: I love being a Sun Devil because it is who I am; I couldn’t imagine being anything but.

Q: What is your favorite ASU tradition?

A: Just being at the football games and all the excitement that goes with it, like tailgating, crowd-watching, wearing every variation of ASU spirit wear, and Sparky doing his push-ups after each touchdown.

Q: What ASU event/s do you most look forward to?

A: I love to hear about all the exciting things going on at ASU, whether its academics, sports, fine arts, social activities, etc. The events I most look forward to are the nursing graduation ceremonies, football games and women’s gymnastics meets.

Q: What is your fondest ASU memory?

A: Watching my father, who graduated from ASU in 1947, continue to organize and chair his reunions every single year with his beloved ASU club, Los Conquistadores, every single homecoming weekend until his passing last year at age 94.

Q: What makes you the Most Spirited Sun Devil?

A: I believe it is my ultimate duty as a lifelong Sun Devil to spread the Sun Devil spirit and pride to my students – the next generation of “Most Spirited Sun Devils!”

Q: Maroon or Gold?

A: I love them both; Maroon is all over my house, but for ASU spirit, definitely Gold. It is the color that pops in the crowd. There’s nothing like a stadium full of Gold shirts to make a statement!

Q: Anything else you’d like to share about ASU spirit/Sun Devil pride?

A: I am honored to be given the opportunity to teach at ASU. Go Devils!