February 10, 2003
ETBU names Groner School
___MARSHALL--East Texas Baptist University has created the Frank Groner Memorial Endowed School of Professional Studies.
___The school, which will include ETBU's nursing and pre-professional studies departments, was created through a $1.6 million bequest from the estates of Frank and Daisy Groner. The school and its naming were approved by ETBU's board of trustees last month.
___"The generosity of the Groner family, who have a long and rich history with our university, will enable ETBU to continue serving the needs of students in these areas of study," said ETBU President Bob Riley.
___The Groners were students at ETBU when the university was known as College of Marshall. He was a student from 1929-31, during the period when his father, Frank Sr., was president of the college.
___The younger Groner went on to become a renowned figure in health care, serving as president of Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., for 34 years. He was considered a pioneer in developing the country's health insurance system through his support for prepaid voluntary health-care plans and his involvement in local chapters of Blue Cross.
___Groner served as president of a number of regional hospital organizations and was president of the American Hospital Association in 1960-61. He served on dozens of councils, committees and boards of the American Hospital Association and other national health organizations.
___"Dr. Groner's long commitment and contribution to health care makes this gift of support to our nursing program an excellent fit," said Paul Sorrels, ETBU's vice president for academic affairs. "ETBU nursing students will benefit for years to come."
___After his years as a student at College of Marshall, Groner served the college as registrar in the early 1930s. During this time, he met his wife, the former Daisy McFearin. They married in December 1936 and were inseparable until his death in April 1994.
Get printer-friendly version of this story
Send this story to a friend
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook