Hannibal-LaGrange University recognized the annual award winners during the 2023 Booster Gala on Saturday, November 11. The Outstanding Community Service Award was presented to Al Groner. This award is given to Hannibal-LaGrange graduates or friends who have given outstanding service to the University or their community through involvement in civic endeavors, religious leadership, or philanthropic efforts.
Al lives in Monroe City, MO and currently serves as the Director of Missions for the Bethel Baptist Association. It is in this role that he has led an all-volunteer team to complete the landscaping and grounds at the university since the school had to cut that expense from the budget in 2021. Al has worked tirelessly organizing the volunteers, mowing, weeding and countless other grounds/maintenance duties. The HLGU campus would not be as beautiful without his leadership and efforts.
Al says, “God allowed me to learn building and construction skills. He has given me opportunities to use those skills to serve others with the ultimate goal of sharing the gospel with them.”
He earned a Bachelor of Accounting degree from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He worked for ten years in Finance, culminating into the Financial Controller at Phelps Dodge in Duquoin, IL. He then pastored at the First Southern Baptist Church in Mattoon, IL. He’s served as the Bethel Baptist Association Director of Missions for 22 years.
“Hannibal-LaGrange is blessed to have Al Goner leading a portion of the work that God is doing on campus,” says Dr. Ray Carty, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “He truly is a dedicated servant leader. I am pleased to call him my friend and colleague.”
Al is married to Anita. They are parents to two daughters, Amy Davis who is deceased and Allison Burrus. They have 2 granddaughters and a great-grandson.
Al attends First Baptist Church Monroe City. He is the Northeast Region Director for MO Disaster Relief, serves with the MO Baptist Builders and the MO Director of Missions Fellowship. His hobbies include golf and working for the Lord.