RPLS Alumni and Friends Newsletter | May 2026
Letter from the Chair
Greetings from Highland North! This note is divided into three parts, each emphasizing a specific bit of information.
Part One: Stepping Down
It is pretty well documented that I was very reluctant to be the chairperson of the RPLS Department. I have always seen myself as a teacher, not necessarily as an administrator. The truth is that the chairperson job blends both and requires the person in that role to live with one foot in each space. For the last three years I have attempted to ride that line. Along the way I tripped and fell more than a few times. I am happy to report however that I found beauty in the journey and learned a lot about myself, our faculty, our program’s history and our institution. Three years later, I find myself feeling more pride than ever in each.
With the conclusion of the fiscal year on June 30, I will have completed my term as RPLS Chairperson. We are fortunate that beginning July 1st Dr. Brooke Burk will take the reins and guide us forward. Brooke and I have collaborated for the last year to help ensure a smooth transition and I have a profound amount of confidence in her. She and I have agreed that I should continue to act in an alumni support role, so despite my title change, I will continue to be a primary point of contact and resource for the RPLS Community. In short, you cannot get rid of me that easily! The future of RPLS is bright and I could not be more excited to have a front row seat.
Two: Stepping Out
Moving back to a strictly faculty role allows me the opportunity to focus on teaching and to explore pedagogical opportunities in a changing cultural and technological landscape. Much has been made of the impact artificial intelligence will have on higher education. Those claims are not overstated. However, one of the things that we know about the RPLS industry is that we are not easily replaceable by machines and that real life experiences will always outweigh artificial ones.
Toward that end, I have drafted a new class: RPLS 185: National Park Management. The class will take place during the Spring 2027 semester and will culminate with a 10-day trip to Yellowstone National Park during which students will have the opportunity to interact with professionals from across multiple agencies all while exploring one of the most magic-filled landscapes on the planet. This is a class that I have dreamed about with alumni for the entirety of my tenure at MSU and I am thrilled that we are finally on the cusp of bringing it to fruition. In the months ahead, a fundraising effort will begin in earnest to help lower costs for students and lighten the financial burden on them to participate in this potentially life-altering class.
Three: Stepping Away
When faculty members are awarded tenure, they become eligible to take a sabbatical. I chose not to take mine as I knew it would negatively impact the program and my ability to serve as an effective Department share. However, as I step down from that role it puts back on the table the option to take a little time away. As such, my name will not be present on the fall teaching schedule as I take a semester sabbatical not only to prepare the Yellowstone class, but to work on a book I have been cooking up in my mind for over a decade. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for me and one that I know will make me better at my job when I return to campus in January of 2027.
Between now and then, I will still be around. Mankato will still be the home base for my wife and I and I will still be checking my email ... perhaps just not as often. So, if I can be of help or service, I hope you will continue to let me know and I appreciate your patience in my response.
Thank you for letting me be a part of this community… I promise that I never take it for granted.
Leisurely yours,
Jonathan
News and Notes
Spring 2026 Commencement
Spring 2026 Commencement took place on Saturday, May 9 in the Taylor Center. RPLS graduates joined the ranks of MSU alumni alongside hundreds of students from the College of Allied Health and Nursing. Commencement is not an ending. Rather, it is the beginning of former students transitioning to life as professional recreation providers. We are proud of everything they have done and everything they are still yet to do. Congratulations RPLS Class of 2026!
Dr. Burk Elected as next President of The Academy of Leisure Sciences
Congratulations to Brooke on beginning her term as President of The Academy of Leisure Sciences! From the TALS press release: Dr. Burk has been actively involved with TALS in planning the Annual Conference on Research and Teaching, servings as an At-Large Director on TALS’ Board of Directors for two terms, sat on the TALS Awards Committee, and was actively involved in the most recent strategic plan. Additional leadership roles that will be helpful to TALS include her past work as Co-Editor of SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education, as Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and her role as Department Chair at Minnesota State University, Mankato. These collective experiences will help guide and advance TALS.
Dr. Fuller attends Waconia High School Career Fair
Rachelle and Lisa Abernathy, Recreation Supervisor with the City of Saint Louis Park visited Waconia High School on April 13. The visit was an opportunity to impart to high school students the importance of the parks and recreation field. Rachelle and Lisa provided advice to students and sought to help them identify career opportunities that will allow them to have a higher quality of life, and to help others do the same.
Dr. Hicks attends Green Jobs Fair | Develops Articulation Agreement w/ North Hennepin Outdoor and Environmental Leadership Program
On January 28, Jonathan spent the day at the North Hennepin Community College Green Jobs and Pathways Fair. The event provided an opportunity to interact with potential RPLS transfer students. Participation in the event came following the development of an Articulation Agreement between RPLS and NHCC’s Outdoor and Environmental Leadership Program. The agreement will help streamline the process for the next generation of environmental innovators as they seek to transfer from a two-year school to a four-year school. For more information visit the NHCC website.
Outdoor and Environmental Leadership AA
In recent years, the Senior Sendoff Kickball Game has been a cornerstone tradition for the Recreation Majors Club. This April was no exception, as students and faculty gathered in Myers Field House. New this year was a modified version of the game that was more inclusive to individuals with physical disabilities. By all accounts it was a huge hit, and serves as a good reminder of how the best traditions can grow and evolve over time.
RPLS Student Shines at Transfer Summit
When RPLS student Melissa Spinler (photo, third from left) transferred to MSU from South Central Community College earlier this year, she had no idea the great example she was setting for others. On April 2, Melissa was featured on a panel at the Collaborating for Transfer Student Success Summit. The event gathered faculty, advisors, and administrators from around the state to discuss strategies for ensuring students are successful as they shift from one school to another. We are very proud of Melissa for representing the RPLS community so well!
Alumni in the News
City of Champlin Names Greg Simmons (RPLS Class of 2017) Parks and Recreation Director
Greg Simmons (RPLS Class of 2017) was hired as Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Champlin following nine years at Golden Valley. “After nearly nine years with the City of Golden Valley, I am filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my career. It has been a privilege to work alongside dedicated colleagues and serve a community that values parks, recreation, and connection. I have learned so much and will carry these experiences with me moving forward. I am excited to announce that I have accepted the role of Parks and Recreation Director with the City of Champlin, starting Monday. I’m energized by the opportunity ahead and eager to get started, connect with the community, and contribute in meaningful ways. Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey so far—on to the next chapter!”
Traci Wisz has a career homecoming
Congratulations to Traci Wisz (Schueller) (RPLS Class of 2010) on accepting a position as the Director of Financial Development for Woodson YMCA in Wausau, WI! “After spending the past 10 years working in the sports industry, I recently made an exciting career shift back to my roots in recreation,” said Traci. “This transition has allowed me to reconnect with the community and recreation focused work that first inspired my career path. I’m grateful to bring the leadership and experience I gained in sports into a mission-driven environment centered on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility!” Hear Traci in her own words here.
Ben Doeden elevated to Program Supervisor
Ben Doeden (RPLS Class of 2019) joined KNUJ radio with his RPLS award winning supervisor Joey Schugel to discuss all the great things happening with New Ulm Parks and Recreation. Listen to the story here.
Katie Murphy Wins Lifesaving Award
In April, Katie Murphy (RPLS Class of 2016) was recognized by the City of Mankato with their Lifesaving Award. Katie, the Aquatics Director for the Mankato Family YMCA, played an instrumental role in saving a patron who had a heart attack while on site. Read the full story here.
RPLS Class of 2020 Alumnus Emily Rutkowski Joins KEYC
Emily Rutkowski (Medcalf) was recently interviewed on KEYC to discuss her role as Events Coordinator for Ag Management Solutions. She gave insight into a new event space sure to garner attention. Watch the interview here.
Senior Spotlight
Ellie Bloom
Hometown: Otsego, MN
Academic achievements:
I am graduating in 3 years which is pretty exciting. I have also recently started planning my own events. It has been a challenging learning curve and I am enjoying the process of refining this skill.
Extracurricular activities:
This past year I was the Marketing Manager for Recreation Majors Club. I cherished the opportunity of planning events with my peers. It was fun to exercise creative freedom in the events we put on!
Community involvement:
I currently work for The City of Mankato as an Event Assistant at the Civic Center. I get to combine my love for event planning with my dedication to community enrichment. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing an event come to life and watching community members show up!
In your career, what impact do you want to have on the world?
My goal is to foster community. As someone who is passionate about event planning it is important to me that I don’t lose the point of what I am doing. I want to bring community members together and give them an outlet to meet the neighbors they would have never interacted with on their own. I believe recreation opportunities are a necessity to living a happy life. Events can foster that.
What advice do you have for students just getting started in RPLS?
Go for it! Once you find something you are passionate about you would be surprised how far that passion can take you. Take that passion and act on it as soon as you can. You will thank yourself later for building up experience early in your career.
What RPLS Means to Me
Andrew Blahnik, RPLS Class of 2026
One interaction I will never forget in an RPLS class was in Wildlife as a Recreational Resource during my second semester in the program. We were forming groups to make presentations on native species. I, myself, was determined to do the whole thing on my own. It wasn’t a rare thing either; most of my life, I had shied away from interacting with others at all costs. I made my plan clear to Jonathan, who promptly told me that it was a bad idea. In response, I said, “I’m a lone wolf. I prefer to work on my own.” Jonathan responded, “If that’s the case, then you’re in the wrong field.”
What RPLS has taught me is that whatever you do in life, you cannot do it alone.
This has been no easy lesson for me. Though I’m from Mankato, I began my college journey at Iowa State University. For years, I had dreamed of becoming an architect, but my first semester was fraught with a sense of unbelonging and doubt. I struggled to find any enjoyment in classes, receding further into my shell than I ever had before. I could have continued to live in that fear and doubt, but instead I reached out. I decided to apply to MSU Mankato and major in RPLS.
Through my all too short five semesters at MSU, I went from having a panic attack before my first time attending a Rec Club meeting to becoming its president. I went from being terrified to lead activities in Rec Lead to now being the Naturalist Corps Intern for Minneopa State Park. I realized that the doubt that I feel, the uncertainty that I experience, is not rooted in the real world. I learned that I was capable of things I could never have imagined. Most importantly, none of this would have happened if it weren’t for the community of students and staff in the RPLS department who always displayed kindness, honesty, generosity, and a sense of genuine and exuberant passion for what we do.
The RPLS community taught me to not be afraid to be myself. My classes taught me to be proud of who I am. To be unshakably silly, passionate, determined, and sometimes downright odd, never to be disingenuous. RPLS taught me how to live a life true to my passions; that all our dreams can only be achieved if we have people to share them with along the way.
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 RPLS@mnsu.edu and help us stay connected.
