Johnson College has selected Michele Bannon, Mayor of the City of Carbondale, to give its 2024 commencement address to graduates on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the College’s Scranton campus.
For the past 30 years, Mayor Bannon has spent her career working with the residents of the City of Carbondale and local partners to build a strong, sustainable region. She is admired for her commitment to developing vibrant neighborhoods, impactful community development, and strong advocacy of empowering a positive culture throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Mayor Bannon finds joy and fulfillment in her intentional commitment and involvement with many boards and organizations including NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, Carbondale YMCA, St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, Carbondale Historical Society, Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, and Wane Memorials Hospital Community Board.
She lives by the quote of George Bernard Shaw; “I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.”
Mayor Bannon is a lifelong resident of the City of Carbondale and resides in the home where her grandmother was born. She is the daughter of Rita Enslin Bannon and Gerald Bannon. She has four brothers and one sister, two nieces, two nephews, and three godchildren. She attributes the person that she is today to her wonderful family and friends.
After graduating from Carbondale Area High School in 1987, she earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology, Political Science, and Public Administration from Wilkes University between 1991 and 2024. She was sworn into the office of Mayor on January 7, 2024.