Cultivating Awe in Everyday Life

Thursday, April 23, 2026
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Ecumen Pathstone Latitude & Landing, 115 Rogers St, Mankato, MN 56001

Join Dr. Jonathan Hicks for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation on cultivating awe in daily life, where social science, storytelling, and lived experience come together. Drawing on research from leisure behavior, environmental psychology, and human–nature relationships, we will explore how moments of awe—often found in ordinary places and routines—can deepen well-being, strengthen social connection, and renew a sense of meaning. This lecture invites participants to rethink how they experience time, nature, and everyday moments, offering practical strategies for noticing wonder, fostering gratitude, and designing lives that leave room for awe. Among the goals of this session is to inspire each of us to slow down, look closer, and rediscover the extraordinary within the everyday.

Presenter:

Dr. Jonathan R. Hicks – Dr. Hicks is a tenured professor and Chairperson of the Recreation and Parks Leadership Studies (RPLS) program at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he teaches courses in outdoor recreation, park planning, wildlife management, and public land use policy. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Recreation & Park Management from the University of Illinois and holds a B.A. in Print Journalism from Western Illinois University. Dr. Hicks’s research focuses on the human dimensions of wildlife, wildlife-inspired awe, and natural resource recreation planning, and he incorporates experiential education and applied research into his teaching to enhance student learning and environmental awareness. A first-generation college graduate from Rockford, Illinois, he has been recognized for his community-driven approach to mentoring students and is deeply involved in advising and supporting learners in navigating academic and career pathways in Parks and Recreation.

Sponsor:

Steve Gilbert