For more than forty years, Mike Herr has been bringing his own kind of sunshine to not only to the students of Pennsylvania State University, but also to its surrounding community. Back in the 1960s, Mike began working part-time for the United States Postal Service at the Fraser Street Post Office while attending Penn State.
Decades later, he can still be found working at a State College post office, now being called Mike the Mailman. He is well known for his fun decorations including inspirational posters and signs at the McAllister Street post office.
Herr believes in the power of positive people and giving back to the community. “Everyday is beautiful, you just have to find your own sunshine,” he states. Many students and alumni stop by on a daily basis to catch up with Mike.
“I am currently organizing a bar tour called ‘Cheers Bar Tour’ that is meant for students, staff, and alumni students of age to join together for one last hurrah,” Herr said. He further explains how he likes to organize events to bring together the surrounding community, thereby helping the world be a better place one smile at a time.
Many Penn State students see Herr as a father figure, some being away from home (possibly for the first time). Mike genuinely listens and supports the students that he makes connections with.
“It’s all about the kids,” he says in a soft voice. “Kids now-a-days are so much more serious than they ever used to be. They’re constantly bombarded with new technologies and live in a faster-paced world than I could ever imagine. They need support and positive people in their lives, and I’m willing to be that outlet for them.”
To truly understand how inspirational of a man Mike the Mailman really is, one should visit him themselves. “My door is always open (metaphorically speaking that is),” he says in a sincere voice. He then follows up in a typical Mike the Mailman fashion saying, “but if they really want to reach me, I open up the office at 7:59 and close up for lunch at 11:59, then returning at 12:59….always in odd numbers. That’s just how I operate.” Funny jokes, quirks and all, Mike Herr is a diamond in the ruff at Pennsylvania State University, a true gem.
Herr has this advice, “No matter where you go or what you do in life, make sure you bring your own kind of sunshine and always remember to be yourself.”
Mike the Mailman has a bar tour
Mike Herr has a bar tour based on the television show Cheers.