When attempting to describe himself in only a few sentences, he said, “I try to make the most out of every day. I laugh at least four times a day, and I’m really happy to be in the place that I am.” It is this infectious energy that contributes to the weekly e-mails he sends to the student body, for which he is most well-known.
Though he is self-conscious talking about himself for an extended period of time, Herbie was able to sit down and talk about what makes him one of the most recognizable people on campus. Between being Student Union secretary, on Core Committee for Orientation, and an active member of several groups on campus, everyone seems to know him, and few have anything negative to say about him.
Marc Eder ’12, a close friend of Herbie’s since living on the same hall during their first year at Brandeis, explained it perfectly. “It’s just because he’s Herbie, and he does everything. Also, Herbie is a pretty unique name, so people remember it.”
Besides Student Union and Core, he is a co-coordinator of Brandeis Ensemble Theatre, acting in part of a series of one-act plays by Hillel Theatre, in the improv group Crowd Control, learning to be a tour guide, and he goes to Hillel when he has the time.
Raised in Rochester, Minnesota, Herbie is full of Midwest pride, but loves living in Massachusetts. “Minnesota can be friendlier—no offense to the East Coast–but I just can’t stop smiling when I’m here. Brandeis is my home now,” he said, although he does miss one of his favorite restaurants, Noodles & Company, a popular Midwestern chain.
Herbie’s chosen superpower, pausing time to enjoy it, was very representative of his attempt to appreciate every moment. “The only reason I would want to go back and redo something is because it was so much fun,” he explained, after being unable to list any real regrets.
Despite being so involved, he still finds time to do schoolwork and hang out with friends. “It sounds like a lot, but it isn’t,” he said. “When I have deadlines, I know how to prioritize and get things done.”
After teaching himself to read with a Star Wars comic book, Herbie discovered “Harry Potter” and fell in love with the series. He has a shirt, “Waitlisted at Hogwarts,” and lived in the Castle as a sophomore to fulfill his dream, which was one reason that he chose Brandeis.
“I used to want to be a writer, but “Harry Potter” got written, and I don’t think I could top that,” he said. Now his dream job is Matt Lauer’s job, which would give him the opportunity to travel, meet new people and be a reporter.
“I want to be happy,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing. I’d like to change the world somehow, but my way, and I don’t know what that is yet.”
