The founders society: A Special Way to Honor Her Son When Dr. Irene Meister-Armington was invited to come to Allen-Stevenson in the spring of 2008 to present an award honoring her son, it was the first time that she had been back to school since her son Nicholas Meister-Armington graduated in 1977. Nick, who entered Allen-Stevenson as a First Grader and graduated after completing the Ninth Grade, was known as a bright and friendly student with a unique talent for technical theater work. He chose film-making as his career and received numerous awards. When Nicholas died in an accident in 2003, Dewey Wigod ’77 began searching for a way to honor his classmate and dear friend. Dewey reached out to every student he could find who was part of their class at Allen-Stevenson during Nick’s eight-year tenure. Dewey managed to raise enough capital to establish the Nicholas Meister-Armington ’77 Theater Award Fund, an endowed fund which “recognizes those boys who have provided outstanding technical support to the drama program.” The award has been given since 2008. For the past two years, history and drama teacher David Kersey h’98
Dr. Meister-Armington and her son Nick Meister-Armington ’77
welcomed Nick’s mother, Dr. Meister-Armington, back to school, shared memories with her about her son, and provided her with information about the students chosen for this award. Dr. Meister-Armington has had a varied career in international This past spring, Dr. Meister-Armington returned to the School
trade, economics, and foreign affairs. She worked as an execu-
for a second year to present the award that honors her son.
tive in the oil and paper industries, traveling extensively around
These visits back to East 78th Street provided a glimpse of a
the world. In the course of her career, she held a number of
new generation of spirited and determined boys that reminded
exciting positions as a staff member of Congress, professor,
her how much Nick truly loved Allen-Stevenson and how much
advisor to President Ronald Reagan, and chair of several com-
the School had embraced him. That day, Dr. Meister-Armington,
mittees advising the US Government on Trade. When she left her
who had contributed towards the Theater Award Fund, decided
last post as Senior Vice President in a paper organization, she
to honor her son in another manner. Having already designated
started a consulting company, “Irene Meister and Associates”
portions of her estate to her two alma maters, Indiana University
and has also been lecturing at several universities. Dr. Meister-
and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts
Armington is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations;
University, as well as having established a scholarship in her
Board Member of the US Council for International Business, and
son’s name at Dartmouth College, from which he graduated, she
a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board of Indiana University.
decided to include Allen-Stevenson in her estate. She hopes that her bequest, which will become The Nicholas Meister-
She decided to leave what she calls a “small legacy” in Nick’s
Armington ’77 Scholarship Fund, will be significant enough to
memory because Allen-Stevenson has been important to both of
provide approximately $8,000-$10,000 toward an annual scholar-
them. It is because of her generosity and foresight that future
ship. This endowed fund will help to support an Allen-Stevenson
Allen-Stevenson boys will have the opportunity to embrace their
student who maintains the highest level of excellence in his
outstanding talents. With this planned gift, Dr. Meister is truly
work and who would benefit from financial assistance.
giving the gift that will grow and continue to give.
The Founders Society honors the group of donors who have included Allen-Stevenson in their estate plans. If you plan to provide for the School in your estate and have not informed the School yet, please contact Mary Richter at 212-933-5214 or mrichter@allen-stevenson.org.
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