James Tanner and Kara Dunst

Penny and Jack Tanner of Newtown announce the engagement of their son, James W. Tanner, to Kara A. Dunst of Danbury, daughter of Ellen and Kyle Dunst of Yucaipa, Calif.

The future groom, a resident of Newtown, is a graduate of Newtown High School and Western Connecticut State University. He is employed as a research scientist at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals in Ridgefield.

The future bride is also a graduate of Newtown High School. She also attended McDaniels College in Westminster, Md., the College of New Rochelle ( N.Y.), and Western Connecticut State University. She is employed as a literacy specialist for Ridgefield Public Schools.

A December 2012 wedding is being planned.