Victor Albertini ’67 grew up in Libby, Montana, where his love of math and science led him to Montana State. While he initially had no firm goals on what he wanted to do, he had a friend who enrolled in the pre-med program at Montana State, so Victor joined him. At the time, Victor wasn’t sure he would stay on that track, but he was attracted to the science and math courses and was sure that college was how he wanted to prepare for the future.

Coming from a small, rural town, Victor had some anxiety and insecurities when boarding the bus on his way to MSU for freshman week.

“During a stop in Kalispell, I noticed a used Corvette for sale and was tempted but got back on the bus. At freshman orientation, the dean of students told us to look at the four students sitting around each of us, and then he stated that after four years, only one of us would graduate. I thought back to that shiny Corvette and wished for a moment that I had bought it and returned to Libby. However, once classes started, my anxieties lessened, partly due to the kind and caring professors. And I worked hard in my studies to ensure that I would be the one in five who graduated,” Victor recalled.

Indeed, once classes started, Victor greatly enjoyed his science and math courses, especially math. When the need arose in the 1960s to enter the military, Victor’s studies were abbreviated somewhat, and he needed to graduate quickly. He received a B.S. in Math Education and then attended officer candidate school in the Air Force.

Victor was commissioned a second lieutenant, followed by flight school. He served eight years on active duty, then transferred to the Air Force Reserves and attended graduate school at California State University, where he earned an M.S. in Computer Engineering.

He had a successful career as a software engineer for a military contractor specializing in secure real-time communication programs. He also continued participating with the Air Force Reserves and retired as a full colonel.

Victor credits his two successful and fulfilling careers to his excellent education — first in Libby and then at Montana State University — and wants to help other students succeed.

One of the ways that Victor has chosen to give back is by creating a scholarship fund for Libby and Lincoln County students to pursue STEM education at MSU. He uses the IRA qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to fund the scholarship and provide some tax relief.

The IRA QCD is a distribution from an IRA made directly to an eligible charity, like the Montana State University Alumni Foundation. Owners of individual retirement accounts who are at least age 70 ½ can contribute some or all of their IRAs to charity. The IRA QCD is an easy way to give that can also provide tax savings.

Victor and his wife, Gloria, are retired and live in Marion, Montana. Gloria and Victor met in Sacramento, California, when Victor was stationed there in the military. Gloria received an associate degree from Spokane Community College and had a career as a travel agent, formerly owning a travel agency in Salt Lake City. The Albertinis enjoy attending MSU watch parties, first when they lived in Arizona and now with the MSU Flathead Valley chapter. Go ’Cats!

“I had a positive experience at MSU and feel that I received a sound education that helped prepare me for two successful careers. I hope my giving back will help other students achieve success as well. In a small way, I hope to make this a better place,” Victor said.

If you are like the Albertinis, rolling over part of your IRA’s required minimum distribution (RMD) to the Montana State University Alumni Foundation can help reduce your tax bill while supporting MSU!

If you are 70 ½ or older, you can make a gift of up to $100,000 this year from your IRA as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), supporting students and areas of the university you care most about.

Learn more about this smart way to give.