Ron Dunkel

RON DUNKEL for TRUSTEE

I was born in Carbondale, Illinois, to parents who moved here from St. Louis to attend Southern Illinois University (SIU). My uncle, a football scholarship recipient, and my father, who attended the agricultural school, both worked at Touch of Nature as student workers.

I attended Unity Point School as a child, as did my three children, who are now grown and have earned college degrees and started their own families.  I graduated from SIU with a degree in art in 1981 and was honored with a special monetary award from the Reckert Ziebold Trust. My wife, Kara, earned her Master’s degree at SIU in 1984 and later taught at John A. Logan College.

In 1985, I began my career at SIU as an Assistant Craft Shop Coordinator and was promoted to the position of Coordinator in 1994, where I oversaw a $200K budget. During my tenure, I created and implemented numerous workshops and programs, including a bike repair shop.

Over the years, I have received several awards for my contributions, including the SIU

University Level Staff Excellence Award in 2014, Recipient of multiple SIU Sustainability Grant Awards, and the Honorary Environmental Ambassador recognition in 2018 for my long-standing commitment to sustainability. In 2019, I was honored with the ACUI Emeritus Award at the Annual Association of College Unions International Conference.

In addition to my work at SIU, I have been deeply involved in my community. I have served as a poll worker for Precinct 17 in Carbondale, assisted in Paul Simon’s presidential campaign, and volunteered for numerous callings within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have also served as a Boy Scout Master.

Currently, I am an active member of several local organizations:

• Board Member of Carbondale Crime Stoppers, 

• Volunteer at Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen, 

• Carbondale Warming Center

• Volunteer groundskeeper at Old Stearns Cemetery.

In my personal life, you may see me riding a tandem bike with my wife as my wife as we enjoy the beauty of our community.

As a candidate for Trustee of Makanda Township, I am committed to enhancing the accessibility and transparency of township information. I believe in providing easy online access to relevant information for the community, rather than burdening taxpayers with unnecessary office space expenses. I also support the continued success of our volunteer fire department and am eager to organize more volunteer opportunities for neighborhood clean-ups and efforts to mitigate wildfire risks. Lastly, as part of a community rich in artists and artisans, I am dedicated to keeping taxes low to ensure the affordability of living and working in Makanda Township.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve and strengthen our community.