Opening Doors: USU Alum Albert Shane’s Journey of Impact
USU donor Albert Shane at the Museum of Our Industrial Heritage in Greenfield, Massachusetts, where he serves as curator.
Growing up in inner-city Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Utah State University alum Albert Shane was the first member of his family to attend college.
“I am 86 now, and I come from a humble family,” he said with a smile.
Albert’s mother, raised on a North Dakota homestead, completed only the sixth grade, while his father left school after eighth. Albert himself attended a vocational/technical high school, studying electronics, and worked as an engineering technician. But at age 25, he made a pivotal decision — he needed a college degree to move ahead in life.
“I liked hunting, backpacking, skiing, and camping, so I thought the Rocky Mountains would be the perfect place to study and enjoy the outdoors,” he recalled.
Albert enrolled at Utah State University, where he put himself through school, eventually earning a degree in industrial teacher education from the College of Engineering in 1968 at the age of 29 (now in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences). His degree opened doors he never imagined, launching a successful career that included positions with Ford Motor Company’s electronics division in the United States and Brazil, University of Michigan as a computer engineer, and as a faculty member at Holyoke Community College teaching electrical and computer technology.
“I owe my prosperity to my education at Utah State,” Albert emphasized. “It was the gateway to the middle class for me.”
Albert’s success also brought financial security. Widowed and without children, he reflected on how he could leave a meaningful legacy.
“I’ve always had a good income and became an investor over the years,” Albert said. “I chose to establish a scholarship endowment at USU to provide meaningful support for financially disadvantaged students across the entire university. I know how tough it was for me to afford college, and it’s even more difficult today.”
His commitment to giving back runs deep. Initially, Albert allocated 85% of his estate to Utah State, through a planned gift. However, in recent years, he increased that to 95%.
“Education changed my life, and I want to give others the same opportunity,” Albert said. “I don’t want students to have to take out loans if I can help it.”
Albert’s life is also shaped by his passion for history and preservation. He serves as the curator for the Museum of Our Industrial Heritage in Greenfield, Massachusetts.
“I see parallels between preserving history and supporting education,” he said thoughtfully. “Both are about building bridges between the past and the future.”
Active as ever, Albert stays fit with cycling, hiking, kayaking and fishing. He maintains a close relationship with Utah State, exchanging letters with scholarship recipients and meeting regularly with university representatives.
“When I hear from these students, it reminds me why this gift is so important,” Albert said. “It's about changing lives.”
For others considering planned giving, Albert offers simple advice.
“Think about the impact education had on your life,” Albert said. “For me, it made all the difference. That’s why I chose to give back to Utah State University. It’s a legacy I’m proud of.”
A charitable bequest is a simple yet powerful way to leave a lasting legacy at Utah State University. Many USU students juggle academics, work, and family responsibilities — some as first-generation college students striving to build a better future. Your gift can be the key to their success, empowering them to earn their degrees and create lasting change for generations.