Honorary Alumni - 2016: Patrick Murphy

2016 Honorary Alumnus

For his nearly five decades of serving drinks and conversation at the Morris Inn, Patrick Murphy — universally known as Murf — has been named an honorary alumnus, joining a distinguished group whose ranks include Ara Parseghian and Lou Holtz. 

Murf started as a busboy at the Morris Inn at age 15 and continued to work there even after he was drafted and stationed in Maryland, busing tables during leave periods. After his discharge from the Army, Murf worked other jobs before returning to the Morris Inn full-time to tend bar at Leahy’s. 

Leahy’s was rebranded as Rohr’s after the Morris Inn's renovation in 2013. Murf stayed on, known to his patrons — students, faculty, coaches, alumni, fans, politicians, and trustees alike — as a storyteller, listener, and direct advice-giver who would not hesitate to do a friend, coworker, or patron a favor and who became for many emblematic of the Notre Dame experience.  

During the Fall meeting of its Board of Directors, the Alumni Association presented this honor to Murf during a surprise celebration at Rohr's. "I think what I can say is, I've been blessed," Murf said.