Bernie Meister ‘62 knows the value of giving back. He is a longtime supporter of his alma mater, giving to WPI just about every year since graduation along with supporting philanthropic organizations in his own community. In 2009, he became an Alden Society member after WPI learned that Bernie had made the university the beneficiary of his 401 (k) plan. In addition, he has established a scholarship that is being awarded to deserving students today and will be further funded through the beneficiary designation of his 401K. Because of Bernie’s blended giving approach, he is able to experience the gratification of seeing his support in action while at the same time, strengthening the mission of WPI long into the future. Bernie also has the peace of mind knowing his legacy of philanthropy will endure at WPI.
“I received a good technical education at WPI that helped me become a successful scientist,” he says. “I also appreciate the scholarship and student loan help that made it possible.”
Bernie’s loyalty to WPI runs deep. A skiing accident in high school left him with a chronic injury in his ankle, causing him to miss a lot of school and work to the detriment of his college hopes. However, he was still determined to earn a college degree in chemical engineering. “It was between MIT and WPI,” he recalls, and WPI won out. Dr. Kranich, Head of the Chemical Engineering Department, mentored Bernie, providing guidance and support to help him reach his goals at WPI. He was also very instrumental in helping Bernie receive a full fouryear fellowship to Cornell, where he earned his PhD in chemical engineering. He credits WPI, Cornell and the help of great faculty like Dr. Kranich for a successful career.
After graduating from WPI, Bernie joined the Dow Chemical Company in the Corporate Research Lab in Midland, Mich. He rose from engineering researcher to research scientist over the next 25-plus years. In 1983 he was named Chemical Engineer of the Year by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He has been recognized by Who’s Who in Science and Engineering 12 times. In 2017 he was recognized by Marquis “for his 40 years of invaluable contributions to polymerization simulation and polymer rheology, he wrote over 100 Dow reports and contributed his knowledge to many articles in professional journals.”
Not surprisingly, the Bernard J. Meister Endowed Scholarship he established has a preference for chemical engineering students at WPI.
Over the years, even with a career that kept him very busy, Bernie has attended WPI events and Alumni Weekends. His WPI family is always happy to see him at the Alden Society Lunch and welcome him back to his home on the Hill.