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Daily printout: June 23


Monday, June 23, 2025

A young man stands in a kitchen and holds a folder that reads “Welcome to the Hill.”
Jonathan Hernandez displays the welcome packet he received from McDaniel College last year. (Courtesy of McDaniel College)

For news of their future, students look to the mail

Colleges and universities continue to rely on USPS for sending acceptance letters, financial aid offers

In an increasingly digital world, high school seniors still get a thrill checking their mailboxes for acceptance letters and other correspondence from colleges and universities.

Although social media is filled with viral videos of prospective collegians checking online portals to see if they were accepted to their dream schools, other students value receiving official word through the U.S. Mail.

“While most colleges send their admission acceptance and aid award decisions by email or through an application portal, some schools also send formal acceptance letters by mail. Others may send congratulatory letters by mail, or packages to students who are incoming enrollees with information about next steps,” said Rob Franek, the editor-in-chief of the Princeton Review, a New York City-based education services company.

Colleges and universities also use mail to help students celebrate their acceptance.

Since 2019, McDaniel College in Westminster, MD, has mailed incoming students a package that includes a personalized acceptance letter, confetti, balloons, keyboard stickers and thank-you cards to recognize those who helped along the way.

“We are proud of our mailed acceptance packet,” said Jill Centofanti, the college’s admissions dean.

The school’s research shows the personal touch makes a difference.

“We hear from students who have been admitted and who ultimately choose us — as well as some who may not choose us — how impactful it was and how much they appreciated how it was personalized and stood out to them,” she said.

Mailed acceptance letters also become treasured mementos, according to Khala Granville Williamson, director of high school programs for the Baltimore-based CollegeBound Foundation.

“The nostalgia of the mailpiece is really important because students like to take pictures and share those things with family members and school leaders. The excitement of a mailed piece in terms of decisions is absolutely still a favorite part of the student experience,” she said, adding that she saved all the letters from the schools where she applied.

Jamira Collins, who recently graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, said she “scrapbooked” all of her letters.

Collins went through the application process during the COVID-19 pandemic and appreciated the connection of mail.

“I remember looking forward to the physical letters in the mail and I still have every one of them. I appreciated the online portal messages too, but a letter is more exciting,” she said.

Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.

A smiling man in a long-sleeve Postal Service shirt stands near a letter sorting shelf
Shrewsbury, MA, Letter Carrier Pjerin Kita
Heroes

He put out a fire in a recycling bin

This employee helped save a house and two sisters inside from the flames

Letter Carrier Pjerin Kita was delivering mail in Shrewsbury, MA, recently when he saw a burning recycling bin next to a home.

The flames were brushing against the house and melting the vinyl siding, producing a lot of smoke.

The Postal Service employee threw the bin into the backyard, then used a bucket of rainwater to extinguish the fire.

Firefighters arrived soon after and attended to the side of the house, which was still smoldering.

The local fire chief commended Kita for saving the house from extensive damage and the two sisters inside from injury.

Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.

A mailbox on a country road
The National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association membership has ratified a new three-year labor contract with USPS.
Week in Review

Here’s what Link covered June 15-21

A labor contract approval, a new hire and an inspirational coach made news

Link had lots of business news to share last week, including the ratification of a new union contract.

Members of the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, which covers more than 130,000 employees, approved a deal with the Postal Service that includes annual wage increases, semiannual cost-of-living adjustments and carrier retention measures. The agreement runs through May 20, 2027.

We also reported on the hiring of the organization’s new historical preservation architect, Noel Roman; shared a video about the new Barbara Bush stamp release; and reminded employees on when they can and cannot enter into a contract with USPS.

Link also looked into the history of Juneteenth, the newest federal holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.

Additionally, “Heroes” told the story of Shrewsbury, MA, Letter Carrier Pjerin Kita, who helped save a customer’s home from extensive fire damage and the two sisters inside from injury; and “People” explored how Hicksville, NY, Letter Carrier Diane Villatoro uses her own dog bite experience in her work as an on-the-job instructor.

Meanwhile, “On the Job” profiled Catrina Wright, a USPS customer relations coordinator in Washington, DC, who emphasizes the importance of good service; and “Off the Clock” told the story of Dennis Ford Jr., a complaints and inquiry clerk who is the founder, president and head coach of a youth football team in Compton, CA.

“What matters most to me is developing the players’ character and positively impacting them for life beyond football,” Ford said. “Expectations and discipline are hallmarks of our program, and we don’t tolerate cursing, profanity, immorality or gambling.”

Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.

Brief

ACE Toolbar and tickertape to end by July 31

The ACE Toolbar, along with its associated tickertape, will be removed permanently from all ACE computers by Thursday, July 31.

Most of the shortcuts the toolbar provides quick access to — such as the USPS Blue website, national applications and forms — can be accessed from Blue by selecting “My Work” at the top of Blue home page.

Employees and contractors who use the toolbar’s shortcuts can also add those links as a “favorite” to their web browser.

The USPS ServiceNow website has more information.

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