More than 130 members of the Dartmouth community gathered in San Francisco to celebrate the induction of two accomplished alumni, Chris Meledandri ’81 and Lew Cirne ’93, into Dartmouth’s Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame. The event, organized by the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship, took place on September 5th at the Julia Morgan Ballroom, adorned in Dartmouth’s green and white colors for the occasion.
Jamie Coughlin, the founding executive director of the Magnuson Center, kicked off the Hall of Fame dinner by welcoming the two new inductees. Meledandri, a Hollywood producer known for the successful Despicable Me franchise, and Cirne, a code-writing executive who created a leading platform for software monitoring and enhancement, were honored for their entrepreneurial achievements.
The Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame initiative by the Magnuson Center aims to celebrate members of the Dartmouth community who have made significant contributions to their industries and inspire future generations of entrepreneurs. Nominations for the Hall of Fame are open to alumni from any industry, with the goal of recognizing and highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of Dartmouth.
The event showcased the strength of Dartmouth’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the impact of the Magnuson Center. President Sian Leah Beilock, in a recorded message to attendees, emphasized the values of innovation, perseverance, and leadership that define Dartmouth’s entrepreneurial spirit. Andrea Johnson, chair of the Magnuson Center Board of Advisors, highlighted Dartmouth’s proud history of graduating entrepreneurial thinkers and the critical thinking skills gained through a Dartmouth education.
The evening was followed by a day filled with speaker and panel sessions at the annual Dartmouth Entrepreneurs Forum. The event provided opportunities for hundreds of Dartmouth alumni, students, faculty, and staff to gain insights into the entrepreneurial ecosystem and network with industry leaders.
During fireside chats at the forum, Meledandri and Cirne shared their experiences and insights on entrepreneurship. Meledandri discussed the personal growth that comes from overcoming fear, while Cirne emphasized the all-consuming inspiration behind his ventures. The theme of artificial intelligence was also a key focus, with speakers highlighting its potential to enhance the workforce rather than replace it.
The forum featured 55 industry-leading speakers and 55 startups presenting during startup office hours to alumni mentors. Jamie Coughlin expressed excitement about the breadth and depth of the entrepreneurial community at Dartmouth, noting the potential for future Hall of Fame inductees among the student attendees.
The next Dartmouth Entrepreneurs Forum is scheduled for the spring of 2025, continuing the tradition of celebrating and inspiring entrepreneurial excellence within the Dartmouth community.
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