BOONE, N.C. — When Madeline Ryan, a first-year sustainable development major from Chicago, shipped a bicycle to Appalachian State University’s post office, she didn’t anticipate three of its staff members would go above and beyond to help her by assembling the bike.

Ryan said she bought the bike “on a whim,” and when it arrived unassembled, she knew she was “going to struggle putting it together.”

“I ended up leaving it at the post office so I could figure out a plan,” Ryan said. “I was so stressed because I had just moved in and really needed the bike for transportation.”

Little did Ryan know, Tim Norris, Matt Story and Daniel Greer — administration support specialists in the University Post Office — were ready to solve her dilemma.

Story said Ryan was by herself when she came to pick up the package and it was “obviously way too big for one person to carry.” After she left, the staff members saw the package contained a bicycle.

“We called and asked her if she wanted us to put the bike together,” Story said. “That way she wouldn’t have to carry that huge box, and it would save her some time by not having to put it together. Plus, we had all the tools here, including the air compressor to pump up the tires.”

Ryan said she was “so grateful and appreciative” when she received the call.

“As I reflect, I realize it was a much larger and loving sentiment as to why I chose App State and why I’m falling in love with it here,” Ryan said. “I know it sounds cheesy, but it was such an important act of kindness to me during a pretty difficult transition. It truly meant a lot to me.”

“We try to go above and beyond to help out students as much as we can,” Story said, “whether that is letting them borrow a hand truck, or helping them with bigger packages, or just trying to get them a better deal on shipping rates. We also recycle and reuse packaging as often as possible.”

University Post Office Director Greg Foster said, “We have a very talented crew, and they often go beyond the call of duty to help out.”

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

University Post Office

The University Post Office is a unit of financial management within the Office of Business Affairs at Appalachian State University. The mission of the University Post Office is to provide the best possible service in the sending, receiving and delivery of mail to the campus community via the United States Postal Service and intercampus system.

Learn more

About the Division of Finance and Operations

Appalachian State University’s Division of Finance and Operations (formerly known as the Division of Business Affairs) provides effective and efficient stewardship of the university’s financial resources, along with a wide array of services and support for the entire university community, including the maintenance and improvement of App State’s physical environment and infrastructure. This administrative division includes the units of Finance and Administration, Campus Services, Facilities Management and Human Resources, and also oversees the App State Loft in New York City. Learn more at https://businessaffairs.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.