Ronald C. Dunlap Elementary School Dedication
DEDICATION PRESENTATION 5:00 P.M.: Join us in front of Ronald C. Dunlap Elementary for speakers, student performances, and the official unveiling of the school sign.
TOURS BEGIN AT 5:30 P.M.: Tours of key locations at Dunlap led by Dunlap students and Dunlap Memorial Committee members.
REFRESHMENTS AND DISPLAYS: Videos about Ronald C. Dunlap's life will be playing in the gym following the dedication. A Stone of Hope: Black Experiences in the Fox Cities, an exhibit about local Black history from the 1700s to the present, will also be on display. Light refreshments will be available.
Background
The journey to this destination began in February of 2020 when a committee was formed to discuss how to honor Ronald C. Dunlap’s legacy after his passing in October of 2019. This committee included community members and staff. Mr. Dunlap paved the way for diversity and inclusion initiatives in our school district, community, and state. The committee strongly believed that renaming Lincoln Elementary School to the Ronald C. Dunlap Elementary School – Home of the Lincoln Lions would honor a great person who will continue to be respected as an outstanding educator, community leader, volunteer, mentor, and role model. Future generations of students, educators, families, and community members will remember Mr. Dunlap for his message of dignity and respect that will live on in Ronald C. Dunlap Elementary School.
Who was Ronald C. Dunlap?
For thirty-six years, Ron’s professional life was devoted to education. For sixteen of those years, he served as the Principal of Lincoln Elementary School. During his sixteen years, he exemplified the Appleton Area School District’s motto of “Every Student, Every Day.” He was also one of the first African-American school administrators in Northeast Wisconsin. The profound impact Ron had on his students carried with them long after they left Lincoln Elementary, and his commitment to showing “Dignity and Respect” to all was evident in everything he did.
Following his time as principal at Lincoln, Ron served as the District’s first Coordinator of Minority Services. Ron was active in countless community activities, including the board of director positions with Appleton Public Library, Wisconsin Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (WASCD), Goodwill Industries, the YMCA, and Wisconsin PTA.
Other community involvements and accolades include the Unity in Diversity Award, Outstanding Community Leadership Award by the Rotary Club of Appleton, the first recipient of the Diversity Award given at the City and AASD MLK event, Life Membership in the PTA, Heritage Award for Promoting Leadership, and Diversity in the Fox Valley Community, Needy Children’s Committee of the Community Foundation, State Superintendent of Schools Task Force, Appleton Noon Lions Club, City of Appleton Police and Fire Commission, Wisconsin Public Radio Board of Directors, and Diversity Advisory Committee at Fox Valley Technical College. Ron continued his community advocacy through his involvement in African Heritage, Inc. He also served on an advisory committee that worked with the City of Appleton's diversity coordinator when it was first created as a position within the police department.