Al Granger ’83 is presented with an award for his service to the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees in one of his Long Island, Ny. dentist offices by the College’s former Vice President for Institutional Advancement David Beidleman.
An Elizabethtown College education is for people who feel the pull to contribute to the world. With a network of 24,425 living alumni, our graduates leave Etown to become the influential advocates and changemakers the world needs more of.
Meet Al Granger ’83, owner of Premier Endodontics of Long Island who was named to the NY Top Dentists list in 2021 for his commitment to excellence in Endodontics.
Leading with service has long been in the Granger family genes.
“My grandparents, parents, and siblings were very involved in the community, so it’s what we do,” Albert “Al” Granger ’83 said. “Etown was a perfect fit in that way.”
Following in his father, Richard Granger’s ’42 footsteps and enrolling in Elizabethtown College, he did not realize (at first), how clear his college choice would be.
“I saw [Elizabethtown] College representatives at a college fair and remembered my father went there,” Granger said. “When I went to visit, I was convinced. It was a beautiful campus with small classes and everyone seemed friendly. It was an easy choice.”
Another easy choice for Granger was pursuing his dental degree post-graduation from Etown. Coming from a successful line of dentists, he followed his father and grandfather, to pursue the family passion in Dentistry. Granger opened Premier Endodontics of Long Island, PLLC in 1998, and today the practice has grown to five locations throughout Long Island.
“The biggest thing I learned that has helped me the most was to be on time and prepared. That has carried me a long way,” Granger said.
Granger’s emphasis on leading to serve has also contributed to his success. Having served on City Council in his hometown for 11 years, he is currently a Trustee at Northwell Health System in New York. Having previously served on the board of his region’s YMCA of Glen Cove, as well as a Trustee at his daughter’s school, Friends Academy, and Elizabethtown College, Granger’s volunteerism runs deep.
“In our family, we don’t complain, we get involved,” Granger said. “Actions speak louder than words.”
In 2007, Granger was recognized by Elizabethtown College, receiving the Dr. Charles S. FarverApgar and Dr. Bessie D. Apgar Biology Alumni Award for his outstanding contributions and commitment to Etown students and their future success.
“My idea of success is enjoying what I do, and helping as many people reach their life goals as I can,” Granger said.
Leading to serve doesn’t have an end point either. Most recently, Granger has been giving his time and energy to helping admissions for the Touro School of Dental Medicine in New York.
“My idea of success is enjoying what I do, and to help as many people reach their life goals as I can,” Granger said.