RPLS Alumni and Friends Newsletter | February 2026
Letter from the Chair
Greetings from Highland North!
This is the part of the newsletter where I brag about all the wonderful things we are doing in the program and how happy we all are to operate in such an exciting space. We will certainly get to those stories, but it would be disingenuous to suggest that life has gone according to plan in recent months. For those of us outside Minnesota, you know that our home state has been in the news a lot lately. Though not to the extent of Minneapolis, there has been a steady Federal presence in the greater Mankato area. Thankfully, we have been able to continue classes as planned and we have been able to keep our students safe. In RPLS, we have always been anchored by the philosophy of ‘Leisure For All.’ Even in the face of vitriol and loss, we remain resilient in pursuit of that goal.
In moments like these, when the world feels heavy and the future less certain, I find myself thinking more about the people who gave this program its heart and direction. Challenging times have a way of clarifying what matters most and who helped us get here. For me, that reflection leads me to contemplate the contributions of the faculty giants whose shoulders we stand atop.
Generally speaking, I am not easily intimidated. Jim Petersen intimidated me. For years. Until I knew better. There was a certain something about the way he carried himself, about the way he commanded the attention of a room seemingly without even trying. I don't know if that is art or skill but I know that he made it look effortless.
I would be lying if I said that I knew Pete well. The truth is that in my nine years here he and I would speak only sporadically, perhaps a couple times a year. We almost always and exclusively discussed the RPLS program. The only thing he loved talking about more than the history of the program was its future, and in that way we were kindred souls.
Pete passed away on October 29th, 2025. A month earlier, he had been at RPLS Day at the Mankato Civic Center. Pete and his wife Vicki were tireless in their advocacy for the program, the profession, and for our alumni who continue to shape the industry. Pete was inducted as part of the inaugural class of the RPLS Hall of Fame in 2022. His legacy is not only engraved on a plaque, it is ever present in the daily direction of our program. As we seek a path through the challenges of recent and ongoing events, members of the RPLS Community will no doubt channel Pete’s persistent commitment to providing leisure for all. Indeed, though it may appear otherwise at first, we know there is no reason to be intimidated.
Leisurely yours,
Jonathan
News and Notes
RPLS Day 2025 Recap
Presented by the Southern Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, RPLS Day 2025 brought together over 125 students, alumni, and partners to celebrate the contributions of each to the parks and recreation field. Students connected with professionals for advice and potential employment opportunities, while old friends caught up over casual conversation. This was our fourth annual showcase of All Things RPLS, and we are grateful to all those who could attend as well as those who we know were there in spirit.
RPLS Students Attend the 2025 MRPA Annual Conference in Brooklyn Park
Thirteen current students and dozens of alumni attended the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Conference during the week of October 27. For many of our students, this is the first professional conference they are able to attend, and as usual, our faculty received seemingly countless positive comments about students’ contributions to the sessions. We are grateful to the many donors who help ensure students can continue to attend the conference each year free of cost.
Introducing the Tourism and Event Management Certificate
We are excited to introduce the Tourism and Event Management Certificate! Developed over nearly three years, our new certificate was created to support current practitioners and encourage current students in their professional pursuits. The TEM Cert can be completed online or in person in as little as a year… and credit for previous experience may be available!
Rec Club President Shines in Podcast Interview
Congratulations to senior Andrew Blahnik on making his podcast debut! During the MRPA Annual Conference, Andrew was interviewed for the MRPA On the Air podcast. Unsurprisingly, he did a great job representing our program and the Recreation Majors Club, for which he serves as President.
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Thank You Candace
With the start of the new calendar year, our longtime Administrative Assistant Candace Hottinger moved across the college to the Department of Speech, Hearing, and Rehabilitation Services. Anyone who visited the RPLS office in the last 17 years was no doubt greeted by Candace’s smile and helpful attitude. Though she is on to new endeavors, we are grateful for her countless contributions to RPLS and that we can still call her our friend and neighbor.
Alumni in the News | RPLS Day 2025 Award Winners
Congratulations to RPLS Day 2025 award winners! Each has in their own way contributed to our students’ quality of education and professional experience. We are incredibly fortunate to count them as members of our community and are looking forward to many more years of collaboration and creativity.
Outstanding Mentor Award | Maureen Morgan
Honorary Alumnus Award | Stephanie Kohl
Honorary Alumnus Award | Jennifer Fink
Alumni Excellence Award | Bri Spicer
Alumni Excellence Award | Jessica Christensen Buck
Alumni Legacy Award | Michelle Margo
Induction of the RPLS Hall of Fame Class of 2025 | Ron Bastian
Senior Spotlight
Mark Weng
Hometown: Faribault, MN
Academic achievements: Russell Nelson Memorial Scholarship | 3.43 GPA
Extracurricular activities: Minnesota State University, Mankato Men's Division II Rugby, 3x Northern Lights Champions | MNSU Recreation Club, Member
Career goals: In my career, I hope to be a steward of the Earth by helping others find meaning in it beyond its material applications.
Community involvement: Firefighter/EMT for the City of Mankato
In your career, what impact do you want to have on the world?
"I hope to protect our nation's parks, forests, grasslands and more. I want to see them flourish and be enjoyed by generations to come."
What advice do you have for students just getting started in RPLS?
"Push past your comfort zone, use your time here to educate yourself outside of the classroom, take internships in places you've never been, and do things you've never done."
What RPLS Means to Me
Allison Wasieleski, RPLS Class of 2026
The world needs more hope paired with calculated action, which is exactly what RPLS has to offer. In the wise words of Dr. Jane Goodall, “Hope … is what enables us to keep going in the face of adversity. It is what we desire to happen, but we must be prepared to work hard to make it so.” In my eyes, RPLS is more than a field of study or career path; it is family, a sense of belonging, and even a home. This community is filled with passionate individuals who break down barriers, make the world a better place, and spread light wherever they go.
When I was faced with the difficult question of who I wanted to be and what I wanted my future to hold, I discovered RPLS. I first took a class called Wildlife as a Recreational Resource, where I learned that I could build a meaningful career surrounded by the natural world I have always felt so deeply connected to. From that first day of class onward, I have begun to understand the delicate balance between recreation, conservation, and the responsibility that comes with managing the spaces that make these activities possible. For the first time, my passion for animals and the outdoors felt purposeful. The RPLS community has taught me how to advocate for myself, for others, and for the environment. I have grown in more ways than I knew were possible, and, with the help of my RPLS family, I have discovered who I am: a steward of the natural world.
Today, I am more confident in myself than I have ever been before; grounded in a sense of purpose and belonging, ready to face the world head-on, and committed to leaving every place better than I found it.
Let's Reconnect!
We would love to feature you in an upcoming RPLS and Friends Newsletter! Tell us about your recent achievements, job announcements, funny stories… or anything else! Please email Jonathan.hicks@mnsu.edu and help us stay connected.
