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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![Aaron before a winter landscape](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/aaron_kokotek_11.jpg?itok=9MTb-9lv)
On researching wolves in Minnesota
“We heard howls in the distance, howled in response, and heard the wolf pack reply to our call.”
Aaron Kokotek ’11
![Professor Faber addresses a group.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sebastiaan_faber.jpg?itok=iReq7_81)
On an Oberlin education
“One of the most important things you will learn here is to express yourself, to engage in dialogue, to respect others’ ideas, and to allow them to change your own. ”
Prof. Sebastiaan Faber
![The Obertones rehearsing](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/kevin_hu_11.jpg?itok=AXFVfJP3)
On singing with the Obertones
“But as I would realize, this love was a postulate of the Obertones; something so obvious it needed no proof through audible declaration. Everyone in the Obertones loves to sing.”
Kevin Hu ’11
![Two people in groovy 1970s attire pose by a boulder painted with the words, Look Ma, We Made It](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/elizabeth_taylor_quilliam_74.jpg?itok=draOo5YV)
On the influence of an Oberlin education
“Oberlin was not simply a 4-year stopping point, but has been and continues to be an essential part of my journey. It taught me to be ever vigilant in seeking social justice, curious, caring, open to...
Elizabeth Taylor Quilliam ’74
![A group poses at a city bridge.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/yvette_chen_16.jpg?itok=wIyRtlLa)
On preparation
“Three years into college, I can say with confidence that my experiences inside and outside of the classroom have equipped me with the skills to fight for what I believe in.”
Yvette Chen ’16
![Group of students in a museum](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/althea_lamel_13.jpg?itok=tK-9Acdk)
On growing
“I realized I had come a long way from the student who sat in that class three years earlier doubting herself. I had become the articulate college student who had intimidated me so much in my first...
Althea Lamel ’13
![Group of 18 students.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/rocio_leon_13.jpg?itok=01fKKbDA)
On being a Bonner Scholar
“Even though I am naturally shy and quiet, all the laughs, cheesy moments, and of course, all the Bonner Love... made me more comfortable to be myself and increased my confidence.”
Rocio Leon ’13
![A hand-drawn sign, Welcome to SEED House, Student Experiment in Ecological Design, established Fall 2007](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/lucas_brown_09.jpg?itok=X8DpaZkQ)
On SEED house
“Oberlin’s support network made our successes possible. SEED demanded skills like composting, caulking, persuading, public speaking, and econometric analysis, and for each skill we required, we found...
Lucas Brown ’09
![An Oberlin soccer player in action](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/galen_brennan_17.jpg?itok=0w92XBEd)
On teammates becoming family
“In our most important game of the year, I stepped on the field for only the second time that year, a moment that made me realize how important the team had become for me. ”
Galen Brennan ’17
![Street musicians in India playing flute](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/anne_richmond_83.jpg?itok=wyjpEmGb)
On moving to India after graduation
“There is nothing like being immersed in another culture -- no longer being the majority -- to force one to recognize what profoundly cultural beings we really are.”
Anne Richmond ’83
![Sarah plays with a Ghanaian child.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sarah_frank_09.jpg?itok=GKdlYJ9B)
On her semester in Ghana
“Sankofa means “return to your roots.” Sankofa is an important concept, because in order to grow, you cannot always move forward. You must go backwards, and go home, in order to make the distance...
Sarah Frank ’09
![Maya reads sheet music while practicing on steel drums.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/maya_zeemont_16.jpg?itok=fmbHO7BT)
On finding a musical community
“The music, the dancing, the performers--all components of the show emanated pure joy. I hadn’t overlooked, however, that OSteel was quite advanced musically, so it never even crossed my mind that I...
Maya Zeemont ’16