The Dickey Center Establishes the Lola Fund

A Post-Graduate Fellowship in Memory of Lola Adedokun '03

The Dickey Center is pleased to announce the establishment of the Lola Fund, a post-graduate fellowship created in loving memory of Lola Adedokun '03, an esteemed Dartmouth alumna and devoted member of the Dickey Center's Board of Visitors. Lola's passing last October was a profound loss to the Dartmouth community. This fund stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to leadership, innovation, and global health and development, and supports the next generation of Dartmouth students pursuing those same ideals.

This fellowship fund, made possible through the leadership and support of The Dickey Center's dedicated Board of Visitors, will provide an award to a recent graduate embarking on a post-graduate endeavor in global health and development. It is intended to support internships, research, or work projects that offer meaningful, hands-on engagement in global affairs but are not highly compensated.

The inaugural recipient of the Lola Fund exemplifies the values and passions that defined Lola's work, academic path, and service on the Dickey Board of Visitors. Abbey Savin '24 will travel to Kathmandu, Nepal, to work with One Heart Worldwide, an NGO dedicated to ending preventable deaths among mothers and newborns by delivering life-saving care to underserved communities in rural Nepal. Ms. Savin brings experience from teaching in the Himalayas, studying the history and structures of the Māori people, and interning with IntraHealth International, a non-profit organization dedicated to working with developing countries to improve their public health capabilities. In Nepal, she will examine the lived experiences of Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), a vital but unpaid workforce, and will develop policy recommendations to align with the country's newly federalized government. 

Abbey's focus on advocating for equitable compensation aligns powerfully with Lola's enduring commitment to health equity worldwide, specifically for women and children.

Lola was a committed champion for overlooked communities everywhere, believing that amplifying these voices was not just a priority but a responsibility; a true embodiment of the Dartmouth spirit. In the words of Aspen Institute President and CEO Dan Porterfield, "Her commitment to equitable health and prosperity was both global and domestic and she was a tireless champion for the needs of all." The Lola Fund will carry forward her vision by providing vital support to graduating Dartmouth seniors pursuing post-graduate opportunities that advance global equity, promote inclusive development, and reflect Lola's enduring commitment to service, justice, and meaningful change. 

The Lola Fund: Empowering Post-Graduate Exploration

This fund addresses a critical need for post-graduate support in international fields where early career experience is often essential to securing future opportunities. By helping to bridge this gap, the fellowship empowers recent graduates to pursue their aspirations in international affairs. This Fund is part of a larger commitment by the Dickey Center to support graduating seniors and recent graduates to pursue a wider array of opportunities in global affairs through internships, research, or work projects that are not highly compensated, and across fields of international peace and security, global health and development, human rights, climate change, journalism and civic engagement.

Recognizing the Generosity of Our Board

We extend our deepest gratitude to our Board of Visitors for their extraordinary generosity in establishing the Lola Fund. Their commitment to honoring Lola's memory and investing in the future of Dartmouth students is inspiring. Their collective action reflects their profound appreciation for Lola's contributions and their recognition of ways to support innovative recent graduates seeking to work in this field. As the Dickey Board of Visitors Chair, Liz McClintock '86 expressed, "I am honored and grateful that the Board has demonstrated such a deep commitment to Lola's memory and to the Dartmouth students who hope to follow in her footsteps through careers in global affairs." 

The Lola Fund will be awarded to a recent graduate who demonstrates a clear vision and interest in pursuing a project in global health or international development that extends beyond traditional graduate school. Candidates with strong academic records, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world will be sought. 

Honoring Lola's Legacy

The Lola Fund is more than just a fellowship; it is a celebration of Lola Adedokun's remarkable life and a continuation of her dedication to empowering Dartmouth students. We hope this new Fund will inspire future generations of Dartmouth graduates to pursue their passions, embrace innovation, and make a lasting impact on the world, just as Lola did.

Lola Adedokun '03  served as Executive Director of the Aspen Global Innovators Group and co-chair of the Aspen Institute Forum on Women and Girls. Read their statement on her legacy here.