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
![Couples dancing](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/amy_hess_12.jpg?itok=IX2DGeKT)
On learning tango
“Nothing is as awkward as the first class of Argentine tango. Take two very nervous strangers, both aware of their mutual ignorance of dancing, make them stand chest-to-chest and hold each other, and...
Amy Hess ’12
![Rob plays acoustic guitar at the Oberlin Farmers' Market.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/rob_jamner_17.jpg?itok=JoQ9Rk0R)
On founding Oberlin Songwriters
“In just a few weeks I met a number of students and community members who shared my passion for songwriting.”
Rob Jamner ’17
![Lillie performs a role on stage](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/lillie_chilen_08.jpg?itok=fJDXGgyG)
On playing Poppea
“It’s still hard to believe that as a lowly undergrad, I got the chance to play Poppea - opera’s earliest gold digger - and find the music that truly fits my voice.”
Lillie Chilen ’08
![Alumni lacrosse team photo](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/hank_willems_76.jpg?itok=iINCKCoY)
On road trips with lacrosse teammates
“As we were passing the Firestone tire factory, I remarked, “All I can smell is burning rubber.” A minute later a car passed, the driver gesturing frantically. Glancing around, we realized that our...
Hank Willems ’76
![Dressed in a suit, Ashwin pets a dog](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/ashwin_kambhampati_14.jpg?itok=xKXnL_n_)
On answering the “What’s your major?” question
“I am an economics and mathematics major. I feel, though, that I am an Oberlin major; the liberal arts approach helping me discover the subjectivities involved with looking at the world though...
Ashwin Kambhampati ’14
![A group of friends stands with arms around one another.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/san_maday_travis_11.jpg?itok=DIRkGkQP)
On learning to stop worrying and love economics
“We found ourselves struggling to fit tough questions into broad, vast subjects focused on a more traditional perspective... so we decided to create that space ourselves.”
San Maday Travis ’11
![Sitting on the Freedom House porch, which rests on cinder blocks, Matthew holds a rifle. Black and white photo circa late 1960's.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/matthew_rinaldi_69.jpg?itok=hi9SYFP-)
On working with the Oberlin Action for Civil Rights
“Oberlin played a major role in the student civil rights movement... Not just one person, but many people, linked arm and arm together, ended the reign of white supremacy in the Deep South.”
Matthew Rinaldi ’69
![People gather around an information table at an outdoor event](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jake_holtzman_16.jpg?itok=NSELCky8)
On exploration
“Although we are all at Oberlin to go to school first and foremost, I don’t see an Oberlin education as complete without at least exploring the other opportunities that are so readily at our...
Jake Holtzman ’16
![Two people sitting on the floor](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/caitlin_oneill_11.jpg?itok=7xPU7YMI)
On study abroad
“Even though there were days when I missed my family and friends so much that it hurt, days when I thought that another rainy day would drive me up the wall, I would not trade my experience for the...
Caitlin O'Neill ’11
![Members of the co-op pose holding bike parts.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sophie_newman_17.jpg?itok=SzH9UFaV)
On practicing problem solving
“It wasn’t until I joined the Oberlin Bike Co-op that I realized just how satisfying finding an answer can be.”
Sophie Newman ’17
![Her identity concealed by a cardboard box over her head, a woman runs in the grass, her cape flapping behind her.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/miriam_rothenberg_12.jpg?itok=QsjWaVcw)
On living in Sci-Fi Hall
“They were friendly, loud, crazy, and nerdy. Furthermore, they were welcoming, encouraging me to participate despite my complete lack of knowledge of the linguistic origins of Tolkien’s Elvish...
Miriam Rothenberg ’12
![Jonah plays alto sax at the Cat in the Cream coffeehouse](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jonah_berman_03.jpg?itok=k7P1Il5-)
On finding his place at Oberlin
“For me, the goal in truth was not to become the best saxophone player there ever was. It was to experience the incredible wealth of opportunities that Oberlin had to offer.”
Jonah Berman ’03