With his big smile and ever-cheerful personality, Justin Murphy embodies the spirit of the Auburn family.
Murphy works as the University bookstore greeter, but his job extends beyond just saying "hello" to bookstore customers.
"I do pretty much anything except cashiering," Murphy said, which means his 20-25 hour per week job may include anything from stocking to answering phones to running errands to customer service.
Murphy started working at the Auburn University Bookstore when he graduated from high school in August 2005.
"I got an Alabama occupational diploma," Murphy said.
Because of Murphy's learning disability, he said he prefers work over classes.
"I'd get distracted," Murphy said. "Thirty minutes into class, I'd be daydreaming or just not even paying attention."
Murphy quit the bookstore for a few months in the spring of 2008 to work full time at Chick-fil-A, but he was back at the bookstore that summer.
"I don't like working in the corporate business," Murphy said. "At Chick-fil-A, I didn't feel appreciated or anything like that."
Appreciation for Justin is something that's in high supply at the bookstore.
"He has the most genuine interest in people and who they are, what their interests are, why they're at Auburn," said Katie Lee, bookstore director. "He really exhibits what we want for our employees to do."
Those characteristics are what make Murphy an ideal candidate for an upcoming bookstore project.
"We want to use him in our training materials," Lee said. "We really want to have a sound training program that's consistent for anybody in any department, and we want to use Justin as an example, that this is what we want, and what we hope for, that a person will really, truly care about their job."
Bookstore employees have also taken notice of how seriously Murphy takes his job. Andrea Cason, senior in psychology and bookstore employee, said the best adjective to describe Murphy is "helpful."
"He helps me every time I have a question because he knows where everything is in the store," Cason said. "He's always cheerful, and he always says 'hi' to me and asks me how I am."
Murphy said his favorite part of working at the bookstore is meeting interesting people every day.
"Some of them I'm really close to," Murphy said.
Murphy also works at Publix, usually about 10 to 15 hours per week.
"I bag your groceries, and I take them out to your car for you," Murphy said.
Davis Darwin, Publix customer service staff, said Murphy has a great spirit about him.
"Truthfully, I've never seen anybody who didn't get along with him," Darwin said.
Murphy said he got his work ethic from his dad.
"My dad told me, 'Justin, if you want something, you're going to have to earn it,'" Murphy said. "Here's one important thing I'm going to tell my kids one day, if I ever have a family: \0xAD'Never quit a job until you find another job.'"
Lee said Murphy loves Auburn, and she thinks that he considers everyone who walks through the door family.
Maybe that's why he never wants to leave.
"My dream goal--I would love to see this happen one day--is somehow getting a full-time University job," Murphy said. "I'm happy where I am, but that's my goal one day."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
