Austin, Brenden and Caleb Harrigan (Photo by Hannah Fowerbaugh)
Austin, Brenden and Caleb Harrigan are triplet freshmen at the University of Saint Francis, finding their way around campus and dispelling myths about their connection.
“We can’t read each other’s minds,” Caleb said.
“Occasionally, there’ll be that moment where we think the same thing at the exact same time,” Austin said.
One of those moments happened after Brenden—then a senior at Bishop Luers High School—took a visit to Saint Francis and learned about the esports team. They all love to play the game “Super Smash Bros.” Brenden learned it was possible to join the Saint Francis team and obtain a little scholarship money, a necessity for three brothers going to a private university simultaneously.
“Brenden came home from his visit and said, ‘Oh, my gosh, my brothers are going to love this,’” said Denise Harrigan, their mother. “As soon as they heard that, they perked up.”
The brothers’ interests outside Super Smash Bros. are quite diverse. Their majors: Austin, graphic design; Brenden, theology; and Caleb, music technology. (Their first names are taken from their order of birth: A, B and C.) Despite their different interests, they each found something in those programs at Saint Francis to seal the deal.
“We didn’t really expect them to go to the same college, but when they did and it’s actually in town, we were really glad,” Denise Harrigan said. “I’ve been dreading all three leaving at once. They seem to be happy.”
Their parents, Denise and Michael Harrigan, planned for this year, but it can be a difficult road to finance three private college experiences at once. The boys have an older sister, Emily, who graduated from Huntington University.
Several avenues of scholarships and financial aid help. Brenden is part of the Assisi Program for Discipleship and Leadership, which includes half the cost of room and board. Each brother lives on campus with a roommate. While Brenden lives with another Assisi Program student, Austin and Caleb could have roomed together. Instead, they chose to branch out to increase their connections with other students.
“Being miles and miles away from each other would have been very difficult,” Brenden said. “Saint Francis worked out for us, and it was not so much of a hassle signing everybody up for everything, finding out about financial aid and things like that. Even though we are in different majors, we were able to apply for some of the same scholarships.”
While their paths don’t always cross during the school day, they still play video games together, as well as attend esports practices and competitions together.
Asked if one of them is the best Super Smash Bros. brother, they concur.
“That’d be Austin,” Caleb said.
“We have our moments where we get him, but for the most part, it’s Austin,” Brenden said. “One of the great things about being a triplet is whenever you want to play a video game, someone is there.”
They also agree on the dining hall and the Creative Dining menu. “The food here is amazing,” Brenden said. “I want to get in that dining hall every chance I can get.”
As three thin brothers, they wouldn’t mind adding a “freshmen 15” courtesy of their meal plans. But they’re not necessarily expecting it. “I walk to Rolland (Mimi and Ian Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center) and back six times a week,” Austin said. “I shouldn’t have to worry about exercise.”
“They’re excited and they’re adjusting well,” Denise said. “I went to nursing school in Ohio and didn’t know anybody and was terrified the first few weeks, making those calls home. I haven’t got those calls from them. I saw them after the first week and it was calming just to know they’re doing well.”