More than 130 members of the Dartmouth community recently gathered to celebrate the induction of two accomplished alumni, Chris Meledandri ’81 and Lew Cirne ’93, into Dartmouth’s Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at a dinner held in San Francisco on September 5th, at the Julia Morgan Ballroom, an event venue in the Merchants Exchange. The ballroom was beautifully adorned in Dartmouth’s signature green and white colors for the occasion, creating a festive and elegant atmosphere for the event. The dinner was followed by the annual Dartmouth Entrepreneurs Forum, which was organized by the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship.
Jamie Coughlin, the founding executive director of the Magnuson Center, kicked off the Hall of Fame dinner and welcomed the two new inductees. Chris Meledandri, a Hollywood producer known for the successful Despicable Me franchise, and Lew Cirne, a code-writing executive who created a leading platform for monitoring and enhancing web and mobile software, were honored for their outstanding achievements in their respective fields. The event was a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of Dartmouth alumni and their ability to make a significant impact in the business world.
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 serve as inspiration for future generations of entrepreneurs. Each year, the center invites community members to nominate alumni from any industry for induction into the Hall of Fame. Last year, the inaugural inductees included James Coulter, Keith Dunleavy, Steven Hafner, and Shonda Rhimes, all of whom have achieved great success in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Jeff Crowe, a Dartmouth trustee and member of the Magnuson Board of Advisors, expressed his hope that the Hall of Fame would inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. He emphasized the importance of creating something new and innovative, stating that there is nothing more rewarding than building something from scratch and seeing it succeed. The event highlighted the strength of Dartmouth’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the impact of the Magnuson Center in fostering innovation and creativity among its community members.
The Dartmouth Entrepreneurs Forum, which followed the Hall of Fame dinner, provided attendees with valuable insights into the entrepreneurial ecosystem and networking opportunities. The event featured speaker and panel sessions, where attendees had the chance to learn from industry leaders and experts in various fields. Fireside chats with Meledandri and Cirne were particularly captivating, as they shared their personal experiences and insights on overcoming fear and working with passion in their respective industries.
The theme of artificial intelligence was a key focus throughout the Entrepreneurs Forum, with speakers emphasizing the potential of AI to enhance the workforce rather than replace it. Geoff Ralston, a member of the Magnuson Center Board of Advisors, highlighted the promise and peril of AI, urging for a greater emphasis on addressing the challenges it presents. The event also featured 55 industry-leading speakers and 55 startups presenting during startup office hours, where they received valuable advice and coaching from alumni mentors.
Overall, the Dartmouth Entrepreneurs Forum was a resounding success, showcasing the breadth and depth of Dartmouth’s entrepreneurial community. Jamie Coughlin expressed excitement about the future of entrepreneurship at Dartmouth, noting the presence of students at the event and the potential for future Hall of Fame inductees among them. The next Dartmouth Entrepreneurs Forum is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2025, promising to be another exciting and inspiring event for the Dartmouth community.
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