A passion for giving back

By MSU Alumni Foundation

August 22^nd, 2025

In November 2023, the Montana State University Alumni Foundation began a new era of leadership. The Alumni Foundation’s board of governors selected Fran Albrecht as its next president and CEO to lead MSU’s philanthropic fundraising and alumni engagement organization.

“It was truly an honor to be selected for this role, joining an outstanding team of professionals and a dedicated and invested board,” Albrecht said. A native of Great Falls, Montana, Albrecht is delighted and humbled to have the opportunity to build upon the incredible legacy of Montana State University in service to the students, outstanding faculty and cutting-edge research at Montana’s land-grant university. “Our worldwide community of alumni and friends have a keen understanding of MSU’s role in their lives and beyond. I am eager to find ways we can advance MSU together.”

Albrecht earned a Bachelor of Arts from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and a Master of Education from MSU-Billings. She has over 25 years of experience as a nonprofit executive, including leading Watson Children’s Shelter and Providence Montana Health Foundation in Missoula. She also taught advanced nonprofit administration and public service as adjunct faculty at the University of Montana. For over 20 years, she served on the First Interstate Bank Missoula advisory board of directors and recently completed a term on the Carroll College board of trustees.

In 2013, Albrecht was appointed by Governor Steve Bullock to serve on the seven-member Montana University Board of Regents, which governs the 16 Montana public higher education institutions. She served a six-year term, including two years as board chair. “My service as a regent gave me a unique opportunity to understand the critical role Montana State University plays in providing accessible, affordable, quality education to Montanans from our expansive geographical and rural state. It gave me great insight into the complexities of higher education and the importance of public higher education. It also provided a glimpse into the remarkable leadership of President Waded Cruzado,” Albrecht said. “What a gift to join this team, where philanthropy has enabled Montana State to ensure affordability through scholarships and creatively envision solutions for nursing, engineering, precision agriculture, access to one and two-year specialty degrees and beyond.”

Albrecht said she has had a passion for helping others since she was young. Her parents quietly modeled selflessness and service in numerous ways. She double majored in psychology and sociology at Gonzaga, intrigued by the human mind, how individuals and groups behave, and how to help serve underserved populations.

“I remember being asked, ‘What are you going to do with that (degree),’” she laughed. “I was drawn to those areas because I have a deep fascination with people, a curiosity about why people do what they do, and how groups of people behave. But ultimately, it came down to a place of service. I’ve always wanted to serve others and have been drawn toward understanding what gifts I could share in service to others and organizations that make a meaningful difference.”

“I have always known Montana State University’s impact on the state, those close to me and beyond. To have this opportunity to serve the alumni, donors and friends of this great university is humbling.”

Fran’s and her husband Chris’ family ties to Montana State are deep. Both her mother-in-law and father-in-law, as well as numerous Maronick relatives, call themselves Bobcats. Most importantly, Fran and Chris’ son, Tommy, attends the university and is entering his senior year this fall. Though they miss their daughter Jayne, who lives in Missoula, Fran and Chris are excited to settle into their new hometown. “We have always enjoyed coming to Bozeman and cheering on the ’Cats. This is a vibrant community, and we are proud to be part of it.”

This past spring, Albrecht traveled across the Northwest and Midwest, meeting MSU alumni and friends of the university. Albrecht said the “Tour de Fran” was an opportunity to visit with devoted Bobcats personally.

It helped her understand the gravity of the university’s reputation and impact and the Alumni Foundation’s connection to incredibly generous and faithful alumni and friends.

“The Bobcat spirit is palpable,” she laughed. “When Bobcats come together, there is this love, excitement and energy around it, as well as deep caring and concern about the university’s success. When I share the exciting developments at MSU, there is ownership and pride from everyone.”