By Staff
Dave Groner, owner of Groner Funeral Home in Dowagiac, has been awarded the 2003 Michigan State University Glen L. Taggart Award for community contribution to international understanding.
A lifelong resident of Michigan, Groner has built a legacy of involvement in many volunteer projects which foster international understanding and help solve serious problems around the world.
In the 1970s, as a national vice president of the Jaycee organization, Groner was selected to help establish the first Jaycee club in the Dominican Republic.
The government of this Caribbean county declared him an honorary citizen for his efforts in establishing its Jaycee offices, local clubs and a sister club relationship with Michigan Jaycees.
More recently, as a member of Dowagiac Rotary Club, Groner has been involved in various Rotary International service projects,.
For 18 years, he provided leadership in Rotary District 6360's Group Study Exchange Program, which fosters understanding, goodwill and friendships between peoples of many nations.
Dave has also been involved in Rotary projects to help improve schools and communities in Belize.
In 1992, he headed a team of 31 Michigan volunteers in driving 13 donated school buses, ambulances and a fire truck the 3,200 miles to that country.
In 1997, Groner worked with the PEP (Productivity Enhancement Program) to bring 22 Russian farmers to southwest Michigan to observe a variety of agricultural enterprises and to learn about how these businesses are financially and physically structured.
In early 1998, 12 Russian bankers were similarly informed about the basics of American banking. In addition to learning about the American way of doing business, members of both groups were able to experience American lifestyle through staying with various area families.
Over the last five years, Groner and his wife Barbara have been key volunteers in Rotary International's goal of achieving a world free of polio.
They have coordinated and led four humanitarian teams to India and another to Nigeria to help administer the vaccine to young children. The most recent effort concluded in February in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, where polio is still endemic. The group aided in efforts to immunize an estimated 3.4 million children.
The Glen L. Taggart Award is given yearly by Michigan State University to one or more citizens of the State of Michigan who have made a distinct, sustained contribution to international understanding in their respective communities or in the state at large.
It is named in honor of the first dean of the International Studies and Programs department. It is not necessary for the recipient to be a graduate of the university.
David Porteous, chairman of the MSU Board of Trustees, conferred the award at the 2003 International Awards Ceremony April 2 at the Delia Koo International Academic Center, Michigan State University.
Porteous, whose father is a 50-year polio survivor, praised Groner for his key leadership role in helping eradicate polio from the world.
Other international recognition awards were presented to outstanding faculty members, alumni and students.