Left to right: Becky Friese ’93 LP Medal Selection Committee Chair, Mike Herr ’23 Medal Recipient, Lisa Bistline '06 LPAA President
|
Lion's Paw Medal 2023:
|
“The intent of the Lion’s Paw Medal is to award someone who emulates the values of Lion’s Paw,” adds Lisa Bistline ’06 LIB, president of the Lion’s Paw Alumni Interest Group. “Someone who is humble, who values service to community, and is a leader among leaders. Mike is the epitome of all these things and has spent a lifetime within the Penn State Community embodying these values. I can’t imagine a more deserving medal recipient.”
Herr’s legendary approach to service was honored with the Honorary Alumni Award at Penn State, with his biography noting “during his official tenure on campus, Herr delighted in helping his customers by assuring parcels would be treated with tender, loving care and expert postal savvy while extending sincerity and compassion. He conducted his work with a zest for life that established him as an icon and pioneer. While on campus, Mike befriended everyone he met, dispensing kindness, generosity, and lightheartedness. He found a way to foster community with everyone, making his impact not just local but global. Mike connected famously and instantly with international students by holding up signs in various languages to convey his mission of service and willingness to connect. In Mike’s words, ‘We should all try to do a little kindness.’”
One of the hallmarks of the Lion’s Paw medal is that it recognizes an individual for service “above and beyond” the call of duty of their job, or philanthropy. What stands out about Herr, as noted by the committee, was that each day for him is an opportunity to go above and beyond his “job” to spread kindness and care, benefiting everyone who meets him.
Herr was not only honored with the Honorary Alumni Award at Penn State, but also with the Honorary Lion Ambassador and Honorary Lion Scout, and Co-Grand Marshall of the 2007 Homecoming Parade. He was also the subject of a “CBS Evening News” profile in 2013 which told of his innovative customer service. Herr was on the cover of the Penn Stater magazine’s May/June 2016 issue and has been featured in numerous local and regional media outlets.
Herr retired from official service on April 1, 2016, but continues volunteering at Penn State and throughout Happy Valley, through activities including Q&A’s with the Penn State Alumni Association, a sports blog, continued support of all sports, and, since 1990, the center of “Mail Call” during the Penn State Dance Marathon.
While you would be hard pressed to find a Penn Stater who hasn’t heard of or met Mike the Mailman, it is not his fame that prompted his selection for the Lion’s Paw Medal. Instead, it is his position as a role model on campus, established by always promoting kindness, loving his job, selflessly helping others, and doing whatever he can to improve life at Penn State for all, every day.
“We’re thrilled and honored to welcome Mike among the company of Lion’s Paw Medal recipients,” says Bistline.
Herr’s legendary approach to service was honored with the Honorary Alumni Award at Penn State, with his biography noting “during his official tenure on campus, Herr delighted in helping his customers by assuring parcels would be treated with tender, loving care and expert postal savvy while extending sincerity and compassion. He conducted his work with a zest for life that established him as an icon and pioneer. While on campus, Mike befriended everyone he met, dispensing kindness, generosity, and lightheartedness. He found a way to foster community with everyone, making his impact not just local but global. Mike connected famously and instantly with international students by holding up signs in various languages to convey his mission of service and willingness to connect. In Mike’s words, ‘We should all try to do a little kindness.’”
One of the hallmarks of the Lion’s Paw medal is that it recognizes an individual for service “above and beyond” the call of duty of their job, or philanthropy. What stands out about Herr, as noted by the committee, was that each day for him is an opportunity to go above and beyond his “job” to spread kindness and care, benefiting everyone who meets him.
Herr was not only honored with the Honorary Alumni Award at Penn State, but also with the Honorary Lion Ambassador and Honorary Lion Scout, and Co-Grand Marshall of the 2007 Homecoming Parade. He was also the subject of a “CBS Evening News” profile in 2013 which told of his innovative customer service. Herr was on the cover of the Penn Stater magazine’s May/June 2016 issue and has been featured in numerous local and regional media outlets.
Herr retired from official service on April 1, 2016, but continues volunteering at Penn State and throughout Happy Valley, through activities including Q&A’s with the Penn State Alumni Association, a sports blog, continued support of all sports, and, since 1990, the center of “Mail Call” during the Penn State Dance Marathon.
While you would be hard pressed to find a Penn Stater who hasn’t heard of or met Mike the Mailman, it is not his fame that prompted his selection for the Lion’s Paw Medal. Instead, it is his position as a role model on campus, established by always promoting kindness, loving his job, selflessly helping others, and doing whatever he can to improve life at Penn State for all, every day.
“We’re thrilled and honored to welcome Mike among the company of Lion’s Paw Medal recipients,” says Bistline.
