The Willma and Albert Musher Program at Columbia University was established in 1995. The purpose of the program is promotion of activities that contribute to improving the lives of others. The program seeks to use science and technology for life betterment. The Program focuses specifically on social work as a core profession that deals with life betterment in its many forms. The Program is unique in that it supports the use of science and technology within the social work profession for the purpose of life betterment.

The establishment of the Willma and Albert Musher Program and Professorship was made possible by a substantial gift to the Columbia University Board of Trustees in 1995 from the late Mr. Albert Musher in memory of his wife, Willma Musher. The Program is an expression of Mr. Musher's concept that life betterment, individually and collectively, can be enhanced through the use of science and technology. The Chair and Program are permanent reminders of the legacy of the Willma and Albert Musher family, and of the commitment of this family to the welfare of others.