The Collegian

Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson

Looking at the tall brunette man with a built body and an oversized T-shirt next to the shorter blond man with combed-over hair and a sweater, no one would think anyone ever gets these two confused. But they do.

For both freshman and senior Andrew Curtis, having the same name has caused some interesting mix-ups on campus.

Most of the problems are caused by people confusing their e-mail addresses.

"I've always got to say, 'I'm Andrew 1,' for my e-mail address," Curtis '11 said. "I've taken to signing, at the end of my e-mails, 'Andrew Curtis, Class of '11.'"

Unfortunately, this distinction is not always enough to save the Curtises from confusion. Curtis '11 claims he often does not know of his class cancellations because the e-mails to inform him are sent to Curtis '08.

"Last semester swim class was cancelled because of fall convocation, and I showed up and there was nobody there," Curtis '11 said. "In my swim trunks and sandals."

Curtis '08 said he often receives e-mails regarding homework assignments meant for Curtis '11, which sometimes causes him to panic.

He remembers a particular time when he and Curtis '11 both had classes with Assistant Professor of History David Raney.

"I had class with Dr. Raney last semester, and I asked some questions about a paper," Curtis '08 said. "And he said, 'Didn't I give you that already?' and I was like, 'I don't think so, no.' I was like, 'Oh no, this isn't something extra is it? I can't handle something extra right now!'"

Curtis '08 also remembers receiving an e-mail inviting him to dinner at President Larry Arnn's house.

"I didn't know if it was for me or not, and I was like, 'Should I go to this, or not?'" Curtis '08 said. "I believe it was for him - to be honest I haven't found out for certain if it was for him or me."

Curtis '11 said he too sometimes receives information meant for the other Andrew Curtis.

"I got something saying I had two library books that I guess were overdue," Curtis '11 said. "I did keep track of that, and I knew that I did return my books and it didn't even occur to me that it might be the other Andrew Curtis."

Curtis '11 also remembered receiving notice that he had not completed his HTA hours, even though he had, because his name had gotten confused with Curtis '08's account.

He also gets e-mail from people asking him if he can sub for them at Saga, where Curtis '08 works as a monitor.

Curtis '11 has even mistakenly received the other Curtis' paychecks.

While both students have the same name, and even the same advisor, they look nothing alike.

"I had to get my I.D. photo retaken because his photo got stuck to my card," Curtis '11 said. "Somebody, when I turned it in, compared it and said, 'We've got the wrong person here.'"

Curtis '08 said he finds their contrasting appearances amusing.

"He's 5 feet, 10 inches; I'm 6 feet, 2 inches. He's blonde; I have dark hair," Curtis '08 said. "We still see each other once in awhile and say, 'Hi Andrew Curtis.' I guess we're just fortunate we only have to put up with it for one year."


Quotations
"[We both] had class with Dr. Raney last semester, and I asked some questions about a paper. And he said, 'Didn't I give you that already?' and I was like, 'I don't think so, no.'"
- senior Andrew Curtis

"I've always got to say, 'I'm Andrew 1,' for my e-mail address. I've taken to signing at the end of my e-mails, 'Andrew Curtis, Class of '11."
- freshman Andrew Curtis

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools