Aaron J. Lawler
Aaron Lawler uses books by popular Illinois authors to explore common philosophical questions about self and purpose and help audiences reflect on their own personal stories.
Aaron is part anthropologist, part experimenter, part storyteller, and part philosopher – all of which fuel his passion for learning, education, and the humanities. As a Road Scholar, Aaron hopes to pay forward the incredible wisdom and life-changing ideas that his mentors shared with him.
Presentation 1 of 2
Available
The Power of Place
What makes a place powerful?
Why do we build cathedrals or roadside attractions?
And how do these spaces shape our identity, memory, and sense of belonging?
In this thought-provoking talk, Dr. Aaron J. Lawler takes audiences on a unique tour of Illinois’ most sacred and strange landmarks; from ancient Cahokia to Casey’s “World’s Largest” mailbox, from the Bahá’í Temple to the Leaning Tower of Niles. This is not a travel brochure. It’s a pilgrim’s progress, a reflection on how we ritualize experience, enshrine memory, and express longing through the places we build, visit, and revere.
When people return again and again to the same places, they leave something behind: memory, longing, belief. Over time, these places become filled with the presence of everyone who has stood here before. In this way, America’s kitsch and its sacredness are not opposites but companions. The giant rocking chair, the nature preserve, and the historic landmark–they are modern shrines to the human need for meaning and connection, and remind us that sacredness is not found only in temples or cathedrals, but in any place that holds the weight of our collective attention.
Dr. Lawler closes the presentation with a few carefully selected “day-cation” pilgrimages—not as tourism, but as journeys of curiosity, reflection, and reconnection.
This presentation aligns with the Illinois America 250 Commission's theme, the “Power of Place,” that helps us explore how our natural and built environments have shaped the settlement, migration, and the development of our state. The Illinois America 250 Commission's goals are to uplift local stories, places, and programs; build pride; and showcase how Illinois brings the ideals of the Declaration of Independence to life.
Audience Recommendations
The program is designed for a general audience, with a primary focus on adults of all ages. It welcomes participants of all backgrounds who are interested in exploring ideas and engaging in thoughtful discussion.
Program Logistics
The program will consist of a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. A projector and a laptop with a USB port for a flash drive should be provided by the host for this program, additionally, a microphone if available. Recording the presentation is welcome.
Presentation 2 of 2
Available
You are a Story: Memoir & Illinois Novelists
The big questions we all ask at some point in our lives—Who am I? Why am I here? What does it all mean?—are often explored through philosophy, poetry, and psychology.
This workshop examines how writing memoirs, telling our own stories, and recording our lives can help us search for those same answers. Drawing inspiration from two Illinois novelists, Ray Bradbury and Ernest Hemingway, we’ll see how even fiction can be deeply autobiographical and how their approaches to storytelling can guide us in writing our own.
The presentation is divided into three interactive parts: personal identity, reflections becoming reality, and learning as transformation.
Audience Recommendations
The program is designed for a general audience, with a primary focus on adults of all ages. It welcomes participants of all backgrounds who are interested in exploring ideas and engaging in thoughtful discussion.
Program Logistics
The program will consist of a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. A projector and a laptop with a USB port for a flash drive should be provided by the host for this program, additionally, a microphone if available. Recording of this presentation is welcome.
Bio
Based in Montgomery, IL
Dr. Aaron J. Lawler is a professor of humanities at Waubonsee Community College with nearly 25 years of experience as an educator. He is a researcher at Chicago’s Field Museum and a speaker for Illinois Humanities. He serves on five boards: Kaneland D302 School Board, Chicago WTTW Channel 11, Illinois Historical Society, 3:11 Project, and the Apiquian Scholarship Foundation. Additionally, he is a lifelong member of the National Geographic Society, and a classically trained painter.
Aaron has dedicated his personal and professional lives to the humanities as a thinker, a writer, an artist, and a lover of culture and expression. He is married to his best friend and has been with her for 25 years. He has two amazing kids and loves to read, travel, and find rare vinyls whenever he can.
Book this Road Scholar
Follow the steps below to book a presentation.
- Contact Aaron to schedule a date and time via email at alawler@waubonsee.edu.
- Once you and Aaron have agreed upon a date and time, complete the online Road Scholars Host Organization application.
Contact Us
Nicole Rodriguez
Senior Manager of Community Conversations
speakers@ilhumanities.org
(312) 374-1558
Contact
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