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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![Brianna at Stonehenge](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/brianna_murray_18.jpg?itok=JmdHbA3g)
On the Music in London winter term project
“During this three week trip, I was able to experience life outside the United States for the first time as well as immerse myself in the musical culture of a vibrant city.”
Brianna Murray ’18
![Megan works in a lush vineyard.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/megan_schulte_94.jpg?itok=BXl7FVb1)
On her time at Oberlin
“Graduating was like ripping off my right arm. But it was Oberlin that bolstered me and created a foundation from which I could truly plunge into the world of the possible.”
Megan Schulte ’94
![A group of students posing in a gym (wearing street clothes)](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/joelle_lingat_15.jpg?itok=R64_Yezd)
On discovering the Filipin@ community
“FASA made me embrace my endless need to be different. We’re all just a group of kids trying to figure out how we each can be extraordinary in this very complex world.”
Joelle Lingat ’15
![Stewart plays an unusual, curled horn.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/stewart_edelstein_70.jpg?itok=9HrAUGsq)
On his education here
“Oberlin presented such a rich environment for multifaceted self-discovery that my college experience instilled in me the awareness that exploration in multiple and divergent directions is the path...
Stewart Edelstein ’70
![Christopher at a table with letter stencils, papers, and markers](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/christopher_gollmar_10.jpg?itok=gBpcUtJ9)
On teaching experimental typography
“It’s esoteric, I guess, this interest of mine, but Oberlin is the kind of place where esoteric interests tend to flourish.”
Christopher Gollmar ’10
![Two student cooks prepare vegetables in large quantities.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/natali_terreri_15.jpg?itok=UPdhMTgy)
On joining Old B as a new student
“While for my own sake I’d like to think my Old B community is special, I don’t think it is uncommon - this is ultimately what makes Oberlin so great. These communities are everywhere.”
Natali Terreri ’14
![A woman shows the front cover of The Synapse magazine.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/veronica_burnham_14.jpg?itok=-q139Rza)
On the creation of Synapse
“With these two “I want to do!” and “I can do!” revelations, I was set on it - I would create a magazine for science.”
Veronica Burnham ’14
![Six friends with arms around each other](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/david_fegley_13.jpg?itok=1Bd7dr5o)
On friendship
“Rather than watch Melanie’s cold slowly progress, we, her loyal third-floor Barrows friends, decided to take action. We needed a holiday, a new holiday, to celebrate all things Melanie.”
David Fegley ’13
![Woman wearing headphones and microphone on a production set.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/paula_gordon_68.jpg?itok=rsegP_AE)
On her first job in television
“Was I qualified? Well … if a passion for democracy, a work ethic honed by four wonderfully challenging years at Oberlin, and a hunger to succeed counted - and we could skip the part about what he...
Paula Gordon ’68
![2 people at a campsite picnic table](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/adina_langer_06.jpg?itok=Btt2kQfz)
On a fateful spring break
“In the spring of 2004, I embarked on my first ever camping trip with two of my best friends from Oberlin ... I didn’t know yet, but on that trip, I’d caught a permanent case of the research bug. I...
Adina Langer ’06
![Field hockey players gather during a break in the action](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/emily_whitaker_12.jpg?itok=LToR9-SS)
On the last field hockey game of the season
“All at once, the reality of my situation hit me hard. In one hundred and eighty seconds my first varsity field hockey season would be over, and I found myself unprepared...I had never felt more part...
Emily Whitaker ’12
![People with plates of food in a small wooden structure.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/rachel_bouer_12.jpg?itok=nh3tttS7)
On building a community
“The lights of the Sukkah exceeded my expectations. A full belly and a fall scarf kept me warm as the lights around me glowed, showing off the work the co-op had done together the day before. Oberlin...
Rachel Bouer ’12