Oberlin Stories Project
We have collected hundreds of personal narratives from students, alumni, faculty, and staff that explain the merits and strengths of Oberlin through the eyes of those who have experienced it firsthand.
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![Tanya holds up her 1990s-era Oberlin ID card.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/tanya_rosen-jones_97.jpg?itok=LC_KcpbZ)
On her Oberlin experience
“At Oberlin... I could design my own path. And I did just that, becoming more brave and adaptable with each new adventure. Being a student here makes you acutely aware of your own unlimited potential...
Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97
![Niels stands on his head, twisting his legs in a pose.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/niels_bantilan_09.jpg?itok=gUsNvbSf)
On discovering hip-hip culture at Oberlin
“As I accumulated more knowledge about the music, art, and history of hip-hop through my independent research, I started to think outside the dance.”
Niels Bantilan ’09
![Group of students](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/daniel_domaguin_06.jpg?itok=24-yk9pG)
On organizing a conference his senior year
“[it was] an event whose legacy affects others and permeates the thought processes, ideals and actions of students who continue to advocate for Ethnic Studies, equality and social justice on campus...
Daniel Domaguin ’06
![Abigail Lofchie](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/abigail_lofchie_12.jpg?itok=82Q6GZQ5)
On being a biology tutor
“I like... seeing students become comfortable with the material so that they can enjoy it instead of just seeing the class as a source of stress.”
Abigail Lofchie ’12
![Prof. Schiff meets with a student.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/prof_ben_schiff.jpg?itok=qWEJOZdb)
On requiring students to write memos
“For many students, writing short is harder than writing long - but I believe it to be a valuable skill to add to the arsenal of writing styles that we promote here at Oberlin.”
Prof. Ben Schiff
![Karin Drucker](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/karin_drucker_11.jpg?itok=vY1WW_4s)
On falling in love with political theory
“I dorked out shamelessly to my uninterested friends about the authors and topics that grabbed me, but I also found others who were as curious as I.”
Karin Drucker ’11
![A group of friends at night, some of them sprawled on the grass](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/emily_brennan_15.jpg?itok=WWEnTEPg)
On making friends
“The benefits of the meaningful conversations I had with my new friends outside of the classroom were robust... My friends became my teachers — a true Oberlin education.”
Emily Brennan ’15
![At a table with sign Christ Cares for Cancer stands a group of people wearing tee shirts that say Relay for Life: Hope](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/amanda_turley_10.jpg?itok=F6g2Sgix)
On fighting back
“My freshman year, I joined the planning committee for Oberlin’s first ever Relay for Life. For the event, I started my own team: the Pirates Dueling Cancer, decked out in black and red pirate attire...
Amanda Turley ’10
![Reid Gershbein](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/reid_gershbein_93.jpg?itok=zq2d1QdF)
On working at Pixar and Dreamworks Animation
“None of these events would have happened to me if it hadn’t been for Oberlin’s amazingly nurturing environment, fantastic camaraderie, and the best mentor a student could have.”
Reid Gershbein ’93
![Group of runners in OC uniforms after a race](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/leo_harrington_16.jpg?itok=WXEV64TH)
On support networks
“The people here have copious and astoundingly diverse passions of their own but will also go to incredible lengths to help you pursue yours, in all likelihood because someone did the same for them.”
Leo Harrington ’16
![A quarterback releases the ball toward a receiver](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/greg_mangan_09.jpg?itok=8DFHy9wx)
On his roommate, Mike Loll, during their first pre-season
“He knew all the plays. He knew where to be at all times. He moved effortlessly through the logjam of the field. He was a natural.”
Greg Mangan ’09
![Two friends in Russian-style fur hats](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/gwen_krosnick_09.jpg?itok=xOImzYtD)
On learning Russian during Winter Term
“Sharing, with two of my best friends, those moments of joy and frustration, hilarity and utter confusion - it is something I could never have dreamed of anywhere but Oberlin, something I will...
Gwen Krosnick ’08