The '08 Update
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The ‘08 Update 2008 Class Newsletter May 2018 Editors’ Letter Upcoming Alumni Events Happy Spring, ’08s! It’s hard to May 20: Lake Minnetonka Cruise and Dinner in believe it’s been almost a year Excelsior, MN since we were together in Hanover for our 10-year May 22: Daniel Webster Award Ceremony reunion—and one weekend honoring Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster ’78 in Washington, DC was just not enough to catch up on all the exciting things our classmates are doing. That’s June 5: Golf Outing in Lafayette, NJ why we’re so excited to launch “’08’s In Their Words,” where we highlight the adventures of June 24: Summer Picnic in Bernards Township, NJ some of our fascinating classmates. Whether political, entrepreneurial, athletic, professional, July 27-30: Camp Dartmouth for parents and kids or personal, we hope you’ll find their stories as in Hanover entertaining and inspiring as we do. - Lauren Bennett and Anna Thompson Pearson August 25: Moby-Dick in Nantucket event featuring Professor Donald Pease at the Nantucket Whaling Museum in Nantucket, MA Campus Updates Visit Alumni.Dartmouth.edu for the latest events in Ø Mindy Kaling ’01 will deliver this year’s your area Commencement address Ø 15 Dartmouth athletes, including our own Dave Chodounsky, competed in the Winter Class Dues, Class Notes, and DCF Olympic Games. See p. 3 for Dave’s story! What’s the difference between all these things? Ø President Phil Hanlon announced The Call to Class Dues: Our Class Dues support newsletters (like this Lead campaign to raise $3 billion for financial one), mini-reunions, and two class projects on campus. aid, research, leadership and arts programs, Visit 2008.Dartmouth.org to pay yours. and campus improvements by 2022 Class Notes: Solicited and written by our dreamy Class Secretary, Chris Barth. His updates go the Alumni Plan a Mini-Reunion! Magazine and are shorter features than what you see here. The ‘08 Update only goes to fellow ‘08s and contains longer Want to get together with ’08s in your city? stories and features than the Alumni Magazine. While we We’ll help with planning and funds. Contact are all friends, if you want to be featured in the ‘08 Update, mini-reunion chairs Whitney Waugh email us instead of Chris. ([email protected]) or Dunia Rkein Dartmouth College Fund: These are your donations to ([email protected]) for more details. the College that are separate from Class Dues (your funds go directly to Dartmouth and not to us). Big Mouth on Netflix - everyone should watch. Interviews have been edited ’08s IN THEIR WORDS for length and clarity JORDANA SHEILA KIER DUNNING Tackling Periods, Road Tripped Solo Tampons, and Tough from Boston to Conversations Santiago, Chile What I’m up to…and what I love about it…. What I’m up to…and what I love about it…. I’m currently building a business called LOLA, a new lifelong brand I just moved to San Francisco and started working as in-house for women’s reproductive health. We first launched as a challenge to corporate counsel for Esurance. The transition from a big law firm to the major tampon brands that we believe are stale, inconvenient, in-house work has been so refreshing, and living in SF has been a and opaque with their ingredients story. But after hearing from ton of fun so far. women all over the country who were asking us for resources at different stages of their reproductive life, it became clear that there The accomplishments I’m proudest of… was a larger opportunity to build a brand that can evolve with her as About a year and a half ago, I quit my law firm job, bought a truck she encounters new reproductive phases. My favorite part about with a rooftop tent, and took a massive road trip from Boston down what I’m doing is starting seemingly uncomfortable conversations to Santiago, Chile (with my dog Rory in tow). Over the course of a around topics that have gone under the radar for far too long, and year, I navigated crazy cities and cliff-side roads, camped on beaches seeing how engaged and comfortable folks become. We’re launching from Baja to Ecuador, off-roaded through salt flats in Bolivia, woke a new category in a few weeks and I can’t wait to hear what our up next to deserted ruins in Peru, hiked around mountains and customers say. waterfalls and giant palm trees, made friends from around the world, and watched campfires burn down in absolute solitude. I'm The accomplishments I’m proudest of… proud not just of the incredible adventure I had and the myriad Probably doing this - I majored in Music for undergrad and not in challenges I overcame along the way, but also because it was the first my wildest imagination could I have thought I would have ended time I veered completely off a more traditional path and created my up being the period lady. But the idea/execution of this brand has own route (quite literally, in some places). It was the best decision resonated with consumers, investors, even our competitors. It’s been I've ever made. amazing (and also really hard). My biggest fear… My biggest fears… I'm afraid of how FAST time is passing, and the idea that it will all Failing. Haha. Also, doing something professionally that I didn’t just slip by when I'm not paying attention. Oh and quicksand, I'm care about. terrified of quicksand. The lesson from Dartmouth that helped me most… My favorite Dartmouth memory… I was actually just back on campus for the Entrepreneurs Forum and I have a hundred Dartmouth memories, of lounging in dorm beds at one point was listening to some alums talk about the college’s with friends, dinners after rugby practice, late nights in Baker Berry; values, one of which was an adventuresome spirit. And it’s true, a thousand memories of crossing the Green, donning flair while right? We all trek up to a place in the middle of nowhere for four blasting Snoop Dogg and Leona Lewis; a million grilled cheeses at years and do weird things like dress up and run around bonfires. the Hop; a billion pong games; a trillion little moments with lifelong That value was distilled more clearly for me once that alum said it. friends. And they are all my favorite. Having had the opportunity to cultivate that adventuresome spirit at Dartmouth is what’s helped me both professionally and What’s next….and what’s down the road… personally. (Meanwhile my roommates are like... you never left the Next is enjoying the adventure of a new city, new job, and new (and house. I know Brian, I know.) old) friends. After that... I don't know! What’s next….and what’s down the road… Currently bingeing… Literally who knows. Maybe running another company that tackles I have been on a huge more embarrassing topics?? audiobook binge lately. I read a little of everything, and Audible Favorite member of the Class of ’08… is my go-to for long drives, Claire Bickett! Early on at LOLA she sent me business cards with my commuting, dog walking, teeth- head superimposed on Queen Elizabeth and Beyoncé and made my brushing, and other spare title Tampon Queen. You couldn’t ask for a more supportive friend! moments throughout the day. A few recent favorites that lend Currently bingeing… themselves well to the audio Big Mouth on Netflix….everyone should watch. format include The Color Purple (read beautifully in dialect by the author), Born a Crime (also read by the author), and the Red Rising series. Big Mouth on Netflix - everyone should watch. ’08s IN THEIR WORDS DAVE ANNE STAVA- MURRAY CHODOUNSKY Crushing the Running for Winter Olympics State Representative What I’m up to…and what I love about it…. What I’m up to…and what I love about it…. For the last 10 years I have been a member of the U.S. Ski Team, I’m currently running for State Representative (D) in the Chicago circling the world, training and competing on the World Cup circuit. suburbs. The best parts of running for office are... It's been an amazing journey, topped off by earning my second trip 1) Giving so many of us who have felt unrepresented by to the Olympics this winter. I really enjoy travelling and all the my tea party opponent a voice in advocating for friends I make along the way. I know that is what is going to stay positive change. with me for the rest of my life: not what place I got where, but the 2) Having a good excuse to reach out to just about any experiences I had and the people I shared them with. The thrill of person I’ve ever met to catch up (and of course, ask for competition is also quite a rush. I tried to be conscious of the feeling a donation.) I had the moment when I was in the starting gate at the Olympic slalom and hold on to that feeling because I knew that was my final Also, please help me reach my goal of raising $50K by Olympics. Nerves, adrenaline, excitement, focus, determination, and Memorial Day! Recurring donations are especially even relief that the buildup is over, all at the same time. appreciated: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/stavamurray The accomplishments I’m proudest of… Obviously being able to represent Team USA at the Olympic games The accomplishments I’m proudest of… twice was such an honor.