Our Crimson 50 series honors Cougs who have been making gifts to Washington State University for 50 years. Their enduring generosity has created lasting opportunities for students, faculty, and communities across Washington and beyond. Each Crimson 50 profile shares their journey—from first gift to most recent—and their reflections on philanthropy, WSU, and the indomitable Cougar spirit.
Their Story
To say there’s good chemistry between Dr. and Mrs. Alberts might be the understatement of the academic year.
Gene and Priscilla first met in the 1950s as chemistry students at WSU. After two years at Stephens College in Missouri, Priscilla transferred to WSU to explore a fondness for science revealed in aptitude tests. Gene found his way to Pullman from Spokane as the second oldest of 10 children—the first from his family to attend college—who was grateful for in-state tuition and “a couple scholarships.” Their walks between shared classes in physics and quantitative analysis formed a chemical bond that lasts to this day in Silverdale, where they enjoy retired life in their late 80s.
The very weekend after both graduated in 1959 with BS degrees in chemistry, the couple married in Priscilla’s hometown of Enumclaw (aka “Gateway to Mount Rainier”) then immediately relocated to the University of Wisconsin, where Gene earned a PhD in (shocker!) chemistry, while Priscilla worked as a lab tech there to support them.
Longtime careers in chemistry at IBM soon followed, both lasting nearly 30 years. The Alberts credit their professional success to their inspirational studies as undergraduates at WSU. To honor the birthplace of their love for both chemistry and each other, the Alberts have long philanthropically supported WSU, perhaps most notably with the Gene and Priscilla Alberts Excellence Endowment in Chemistry, established in 2012, three years after last visiting campus for their 50th reunion.
Since then, WSU’s Department of Chemistry has enjoyed a source of unrestricted funding, allowing for ever-evolving priorities such as scholarships, equipment, faculty, and laboratories to be nimbly addressed.
“Anything that they desired that would improve the chemistry department,” Gene said. “No strings whatsoever.”
And their investment doesn’t stop there, for their alma mater is included in their estate plan—a final nod to their expert training and pleasant memories in Pullman that produced longtime chemists and lifetime Cougs.
First Gift: $50 to the Annual Giving Fund in 1966
Five Questions
The excellence in mentoring of Gene by Professor Carl Nyman. This included assistance toward enrolling at the University of Wisconsin for graduate school, ultimately leading to a PhD in chemistry for Gene. Priscilla getting a BS degree in chemistry, too, which contributed toward a career in chemistry.
Meeting each other, and both getting our bachelor’s degrees there.
The importance of education, instilled in both of us by our parents, and the ability to assist others toward this goal.
Continued excellence and encouragement for higher education.
The College of Arts and Sciences, with scholarships to assist in obtaining a higher education.