GIFTS AT WORK: Janice and Alton Granger
Thursday, December 11, 2008
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Posted by: Jill Vondrasek
 Gifts that the College of Nursing at Michigan State University receives work in numerous ways toward strengthening the experiences of our students, faculty and entire community. Benefactors are strong supporters of the College, contributing directly to student scholarship and enriching the educational experience.
GIFTS AT WORK: Janice and Alton Granger
During this holiday season that promotes heartfelt giving, no couple better exemplifies its true meaning with acts of generosity than Janice (CON BSN ‘80) and Alton (ENG BS ‘54) Granger.
The personal creed that Janice and Alton live by has a lot to do with how their faith has shaped their commitment to helping others. The Grangers feel indebted to giving back because they have received many blessings throughout their lives.
Married for more than 50 years, Janice is a 1980 graduate of the College of Nursing and her husband Alton is a 1954 alumnus of the College of Engineering. In addition to other MSU programs, the couple has made significant contributions of time and financial resources to the College of Nursing in an effort to impact educational experiences for generations of students. "We want to help students matriculate through the nursing program so that they too can receive their Spartan degrees,” said Alton.
A Personal Story of Triumph and Dedication that Inspired the Granger's Giving Creed
When Janice started the Nursing program at MSU back in 1951, she had to borrow funds from her Aunt in order to help fund her education.Ultimately, she decided to withdraw from the program to get married and start a family. After raising the couple's five children, Janice refocused her energies on receiving her nursing degree. With the encouragement of Dean Emeritus Marilyn Rothert, she graduated from MSU in 1980, nearly 30 years after beginning her studies.The obstacles she endured as an adult student during the rigorous program of study proved to be crucial turning points in Janice's life. The experiences embedded a lifelong commitment that has forever bonded her to the College of Nursing.
"Although challenging, my time at MSU taught me the importance of a nursing education. I soon learned that on the other side of the challenge was a great reward awaiting me,” said Janice."The journey brought about a profound change in me, instilling knowledge that nothing should discourage someone from pursuing a higher education and realizing their dreams.”
The Granger Legacy
Members of the University's Frank S. Kedzie Society, Janice and Alton are long-standing benefactors of Michigan State University. For the College of Nursing, the couple established the Janice and Alton Granger Nursing Endowed Scholarship Fund in 1991. This endowed fund provides financial assistance to graduate students with a preferred focus in gerontology. They also enabled the construction of the Janice Thompson Granger Nursing Learning Center in 2002 and are leadership benefactors of the Nursing Addition to Life Sciences.
As Janice reflects upon what motivates the couple's philanthropic giving she stated, "Our desire to help others is the primary motivator that drives our daily life. We get great satisfaction by giving something back to the community in which we have lived all our lives.”
Janice and Alton Granger have been making a difference at Michigan State University since they arrived on campus, nearly 60 years ago. The College of Nursing would like to applaud their generosity and give sincere thanks, during this season of giving, for the unwavering loyalty to nursing excellence.
Janice and Alton continue to make a difference.
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