Karau Family’s Immigrant Beginnings Inspires Scholarships for Bengals

In the mid-1950s, Albert Karau arrived in Blackfoot, Idaho, as a young German immigrant with little more than hope for a better future. Encouraged by a friend and supported by his uncle, he enrolled in Idaho State College’s welding program. The training he received launched a successful welding career, helped him become an American citizen, and allowed him to provide a stable life for his family.

Albert’s wife, Christine, also attended Idaho State, taking language courses. Their belief in the power of education became a family tradition: their son Albert (Bert) Jr. began his college career at ISU before earning a degree from the University of Idaho, and their son Fred Karau graduated from Idaho State in 1983 with a double major in History and Political Science.

Now, in tribute to their parents’ journey and values, Fred and his wife Amy, along with Bert, have established the Albert and Christine Karau Scholarship Endowment through the Idaho State University Foundation. Albert at age 91 and Christine at 89 live independently in Yakima, WA, not far from their son, Fred.

“Dad made a good living because of the skills he learned in ISC's welding program and this enabled him and Mom to help us pursue a higher education,” says Fred Karau. “We are happy that we can now pay this forward by helping others to learn a very important and valuable skilled trade.”

The endowed scholarship will provide financial support to students in ISU’s College of Technology Welding Program, with preference given to students from Bingham County. Funds may help cover essential welding supplies, training, and other costs associated with completing their education.

“We are so grateful for the support of this generous family in commemoration of their father,” said Gerald Anhorn, Dean of the College of Technology. “Skilled trades are making a strong resurgence, and this scholarship support will further incentivize student success and help meet Idaho’s growing workforce needs.”

The endowed fund will be built through charitable gifts totaling $25,000 by 2029. Once fully endowed, the scholarship will provide sustainable, annual support to welding students at ISU for generations to come.

For information or to contribute to the Albert and Christine Karau Scholarship Endowment, please contact Tabitha La Force, Director of Development for the College of Arts and Letters, at (208) 282-1404 or tabithalaforce@isu.edu, or visit isu.edu/give.