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.
Add your story
![3 students collaborate at a table](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/anna_zeemont_13.jpg?itok=tcaQZ-CM)
On embracing writing
“Oberlin revolutionized the way I think about writing - which in turn shaped me not just as a learner but also as an individual.”
Anna Zeemont ’13
![Sandy Waters](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sandy_waters_71.jpg?itok=YLaJVQB4)
On the Oberlin student body
“My Oberlin friends came from... all over the place. All races and all faiths, they had attended both public and private high schools... they were independent, intellectually curious, intelligent,...
Sandy Waters ’71
![Sarah and friends.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sarah_cheshire_14.jpg?itok=j0S8EWmq)
On learning from peers
“My education at Oberlin has occurred not only in the classroom, but through living and constantly engaging with so many different people from so many different life contexts.”
Sarah Cheshire ’14
![Hip-hop dancers at rehearsal](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/isabelle_harari_17.jpg?itok=rls76EgZ)
On performing with Oberlin’s female and trans* hip hop dance group And What!?
“Our identity as dancers makes sure our audiences leave with material to ponder, discuss, and continue to engage with after our shows.”
Isabelle Harari ’17
![Maurice leads a rehearsal.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/maurice_cohn_17.jpg?itok=BYk82duB)
On conducting a youth orchestra
“Music is a living art, not to be kept in the glass cases of history museums...I can help foster that kind of energy and excitement about performing in another generation of musicians.”
Maurice Cohn ’17
![Standing by a hillside with hands raised and mouth wide open](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/beth_rogers_07.jpg?itok=-n_31UKs)
On moving to China
“I struggled in basic conversation, couldn’t communicate emotion, couldn’t deal with the subtleties of the language at all, and couldn’t read anything ... in some ways I think I re-discovered the...
Beth Rogers ’07
![A trio plays music in the children's section of the public library.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sophie_schacht_10.jpg?itok=N4VCAxEh)
On organizing Dr. Seuss Day at the local public library
“I am one of six people on the varsity softball team who tutors in the Oberlin public schools -- my first order of business was to recruit the entire team.”
Sophie Schacht ’10
![Jessica receives a huge, ceremonial check for $10,000](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jessica_levine_95.jpg?itok=7qmMCK6A)
On the level of teaching at Oberlin
“Great teachers make a difference in our lives because they knew how to support us and how to push us. Educators at Oberlin do so in the most masterful way. They are both craftsman and scholars. They...
Jessica Levine ’95
![Five performers together on stage.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/molly_gorin_16.jpg?itok=3ODDnxFE)
On merging dance lives
“I never thought I would be able to put a rapper dance side by side with a contemporary duet, but here I am today.”
Molly Gorin ’16
![A man and woman hold two young children](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/chase_palmer_08.jpg?itok=UHK62FFA)
On opportunity
“I spent many years grappling with what type of profession I wanted to pursue in my life. I considered medicine, legal work, and many other paths. But one thing always remained the same: my passion...
Chase Palmer ’08
![Thomas's ID photo from the 1970s.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/thomas_kutzen_76.jpg?itok=LqaB-sfV)
On being successful in business
“It takes the same willingness to be involved that I discovered at Oberlin, the ability to examine the community and to be an individual therein with the right blend of independence, challenge,...
Thomas Kutzen ’76
![Jules tries to balance on a log over a stream](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jules_brouillet_10.jpg?itok=joRrUquE)
On the things to do at Oberlin
“There are enough great organizations, activities, events and concerts here that it is impossible for one student to do everything or even half of everything. The hardest decision that many students...
Jules Brouillet ’10